24-hour gaming centre at 7 Upper Brook Street, Ipswich

The site and approved use

The site is an adult gaming centre on the ground floor, with storage and staff areas above, already approved at appeal with restricted hours.

“Upper Brook Street is a ground floor, and approved at appeal, adult gaming centre with conditioned operational hours of 0700-0000 daily. The original Officer report for application 22/00704/FUL stated: “The proposal is for a 24 hour use. There are flats located above the premises, and whilst the site is located in a busy town centre area, nearby uses such as public houses are not in use 24 hours a day.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The police made no comment, Environmental Protection and Community Safety raised no objections, and one ward councillor objected.

“Public and statutory consultation was undertaken between 22.04.25 and 20.05.2025, and 10.06.2025 and 01.07.2025, the latter after it became apparent the flat above the application premises had not been consulted during the first round. 8 properties were notified of the application (which includes neighbouring properties in Upper Brook Street and Carr Street, and above the premises), in addition to a press notification and a site notice.”

“If complaints are received, [Environmental Protection] will use [their] powers under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. IBC Community Safety Officer…”

Officer report

The objection

The ward councillor raised concerns about high-street concentration, vulnerable people and 24-hour gambling, and requested licensing committee consideration.

“No reports of any ASB from this location. Representations 3.10. 1 letter of representation was received objecting to the proposals as follows: Cllr Jane Riley, Ward Member for Alexandra (received 07.05.25) Summary of Objections raised: -Detrimental to the high street when there are already several adult gaming centres and betting shops within a short walking distance from the site.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke in support, describing the operator’s experience, safety measures, licensing position and absence of noise or antisocial-behaviour concerns.

Members’ debate

Members debated the appeal conditions, the lack of current objections, whether circumstances had changed and whether temporary consent was appropriate.

“Councillor Rae commented that the original application for 24/7 use had been refused but was granted consent on appeal subject to conditions, including limiting opening hours to protect the amenity of nearby residents, and added that nothing had changed since the consent was granted to warrant the extension of opening hours.”

“Councillor Jones commented that there were no grounds for refusal following consent being granted on appeal for the previous application where the Planning Inspector had stated that an adult gaming centre would provide active frontage. Councillor Jones commented that the difference when considering this application was the lack of objections from the Police and Environmental Health to an all-night use. Councillor Jones asked whether a temporary consent would be appropriate.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee granted permission for the premises to open to customers 24 hours per day, seven days per week, subject to conditions.

“Grant planning permission subject to the following conditions (briefly):”

“The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with approved drawings 3479(c)1 dated 07/07/2022 [as per original approval]. The premises shall be open for customers 24 hours per day, 7 days per week [the varied condition].”

Minutes