Plans for an amusement arcade in Co Down have been rejected amid claims such outlets are “not wanted, warranted or needed”.
Planning officials at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council had recommended approval for an application for a change of use at a former Downpatrick hardware store on Market Street.
However, planning committee members rejected the recommendation after outlining a number of concerns.
Read more: Stormont inquiry launched amid high levels of problem gambling.
Downpatrick Town Committee chairperson, Philip Campbell told the committee: “This type of establishment is not wanted, warranted or needed. There is a surplus of such gambling arcades in Downpatrick.
“A report on the regeneration of Downpatrick has shown that this would be detrimental for the area.”
Also objecting was Matrix planning consultant Andy Stephens who said: “This application is in a prime retail frontage of Downpatrick and will impact negatively on the town’s retail centre.
“There has been no assessment for the need of this and it will not enhance Downpatrick. The proposed amusement centre would also be close to churches and educational facilities. There is an amusement arcade centre cloud hanging over Market Street.”
However, an agent in support of the applicant, Carol Gourley, who said: “An assessment of need is 100% not required for this proposal.
“This arcade would encourage footfall into the retail area and there has been no issue raised from environmental health. This would be the same as Bundoran, Portrush and Newcastle...it is not a casino or bingo hall.”
Slieve Gullion SDLP councillor Peter Byrne highlighted the types of gambling machines mentioned on the application.
He said: “It’s there in black and white, 28 AWP slot machines. It’s disappointing that the person who comes here to represent the applicant does not have the same information that we have in the application before us.”
The committee also heard from the Alliance party’s Cadogan Enright who warned that “Northern Ireland has the highest addiction problem to gambling in the UK”. He added that there are already “13 gambling emporiums in Downpatrick”.
Public opposition to the arcade was said to be increasing in the town as details of a petition were revealed.
Downpatrick SDLP councillor, Gareth Sharvin said: “If you go up the main streets of Newry, you will not see an amusement arcade on a prime retail centre of the city. This goes against the council’s own Downpatrick regeneration project.
“We had 50 people at a recent community event and they were passionate about their high street in Downpatrick. A new petition in objection to this arcade has already received 250 signatures in one week. If this amusement arcade was allowed it would set a dangerous precedent for the regeneration of Downpatrick.”
Mournes DUP councillor, Henry Reilly said: “There is a clear distinction on this for me. In Newcastle there are amusement arcades for kids and families to enjoy. I obviously would not want kids to be gambling.
“These are two very distinct uses and whether it is one or the other, it would swing it either way for me.”
A majority of six to two overturned the approval with one abstaining.
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