Adult gaming centre at 1 Walm Lane, Willesden Green, London NW2

What was proposed

The application sought to change the basement and ground floor from a vacant bank to an adult gaming centre, with front elevation changes.

“Document Imaged DocRepF Ref: 25/1112Page1of13 COMMITTEE REPORT Planning Committee on10 September, 2025 Item No04 Case Number25/1112 SITE INFORMATION RECEIVED10 April, 2025 WARDWillesden Green PLANNING AREABrent Connects Willesden LOCATION1 Walm Lane, London, NW2 5SN PROPOSAL Change of use of basement and ground floor from vacant bank to Adult Gaming Centre (AGC) with alteration to front elevation at ground floor level PLAN NO’SRefer to condition 2 LINK TO DOCUMENTS…”

“PROPOSAL IN DETAIL Change of use of basement and ground floor from vacant bank to Adult Gaming Centre (AGC) with alteration to front elevation at ground floor level EXISTING The application site is a commercial property located on the north side of Walm Lane at the junction of High Road. The property is within the primary shopping frontage of the Willesden Green Town Centre.”

Officer report

Earlier planning permission

Permission was granted in February 2025 for a bingo hall in the basement and ground floor, with front elevation alterations.

“24/2877 was granted on 17 February 2025 for ‘Change of use of basement and ground floor from vacant bank to bingo hall with alteration to front elevation at ground floor level.’ 3.The property is within the primary shopping frontage of Willesden Green Town Centre.”

Officer report

The main planning issues

The proposed frontage would remain within the policy percentage threshold and would have four alternative-use units between it and another adult gaming centre.

“Royal Casino Slots, 9a Walm Lane, NW2 5SJ (4m frontage) 8. The total existing length of the town centre frontage consisting of adult gaming centres or pawnbrokers/payday loan shops is 38m. The total frontage length is 1877m. Therefore, as existing, 2.02% of the total frontage length is in adult gaming centre and pawnbrokers/payday loan shop use. Assessment of current proposals 9.1 Walm Lane has a frontage length of around 9.75m.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A career grade planning officer introduced the application, and no registered representatives spoke.

Members’ questions

Members questioned policy limits, noise, conservation-area effects, opening hours, upper-floor housing, cycle storage and how objections were assessed.

“In recognising that the application site was located within a Conservation area, further details were sought on the impact in relation to character and appearance of the proposal on the surrounding area. In response, members were advised that in order to facilitate the change of use, the application had proposed minor alterations to the shopfront to include a new street-facing front entrance and window at ground floor level.”

“Having clarified the way in which objections received in relation to the application had been assessed on the basis of relevant planning considerations, members were reminded that the proposed change of use to an AGC had been assessed as being in accordance with the Council's adopted policies.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee voted four in favour and one against the proposal.

“The Committee RESOLVED to grant planning permission subject to the conditions and informatives, as set out in the main committee report.”

“(Voting on the above decision was as follows: For and 1 Against).”

Minutes