Arcade with bingo at 28-30 Sandgate Road, Folkestone

“Proposal 3.1. Planning permission is sought for the change of use of the ground floor only from retail to a use as an arcade incorporating bingo, which is treated as a Sui…”

“DC/25/48 Generis use under the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended). There are no physical alterations proposed. The application proposes 24-hour opening, 7 days a week. The applicant has stated that the proposed use is a 'modern form of bingo' which moves away from the traditional bingo halls with callers, producing a lower level of noise as opposed to callers on microphones.”

“The application relates to the ground floor of a four-storey building located within the designated town centre and primary shopping area of Folkestone. At ground floor, the property was last used for retail purposes but is currently unoccupied, while the first, second and third floors are in residential use, providing a total of seven flats.”

“The wider area is characterised by commercial units at street level and residential above. The Grade II listed Lloyds building at 43-47 Sandgate Road sits to the south of the application site, on the opposite side of the street.”

“DC/25/48 Y18/0180/SH Change of use and conversion of first floor from retail (A1 use) space to three residential units (2 x studio flats, 1 x 2 bed flat) use Class C3, together with the construction of a separated lobby area and bin store at ground floor level and staircase up to first floor level.”

“Y17/0811/SH Change of use and conversion of the existing second and third floor to four self-contained flats (2 x 1no. bedroom flats and 2 x 2no. bedroom flats) including new first floor windows to the south-east elevation and new access/bin store arrangements on ground floor and first floor levels. Approved 5. Consultation…”

“The proposed arcade and bingo use would fall within these uses, and as a diverse range of complementary uses, including leisure/entertainment, are considered to support town centre vitality and viability, would contribute toward town centre function.”

“The proposed use is in a sustainable location, which would enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre, support economic growth and productivity, and that would comply with adopted town centre policy. There are no demonstrable detrimental impacts upon designated heritage assets, residential amenity, or in respect of any highway considerations. The application is therefore considered to be in accordance with the policies set out in the Development Plan. 9.”

“KCC Highways & Transportation: Outside of consultation protocol.”

“Environmental Health Officer: No objection subject to conditions.”

“Public Consultation 5.2 Sixty-two (62) neighbours directly consulted. Three (3) representations received objecting to the application.”

“DC/25/48 - Illuminated frontage would be garish opposite a Grade II listed building - Facility type is unclear - Exacerbates deprivation and encourages gambling - 24/7 opening is inappropriate, encouraging gambling and anti-social behaviour - Increased noise and disturbance - Loss of retail frontage - Impact upon ling-term vitality and viability of the town centre…”

“That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out at the end of the report and that delegated authority be given to the Chief Planning Officer to agree and finalise the wording of the conditions and add any other conditions that he considers necessary.”