Today I presented a bill to Parliament in which I suggested that local people should be given more power to stand up to the number of betting shops in areas like Deptford. I am seeking to change the planning class of betting shops and allow councils to place a cap on the number of them in an area.
In my speech to Parliament I described the “turf war” which is taking place in the area as more and more betting shops try to muscle in on Deptford – currently there are at least 10 in the area, with 7 on the High Street alone.
In my speech to Parliament I described the “turf war” which is taking place in the area as more and more betting shops try to muscle in on Deptford – currently there are at least 10 in the area, with 7 on the High Street alone.
The development is unsolicited, unwelcome and out of control. Betting shops are proliferating, squeezing out diversity and attracting anti-social behaviour. Again and again when a property becomes vacant another betting shop chain bids for the premises.
If it becomes law my bill, which has received cross-party support, would take betting shops out of their current planning class (which groups them with banks, building societies and other professional and financial services) and place them in their own class.
It would be possible to make planning judgements appropriate to the local area. Local planning authorities would be able to assess demand for betting shops and indeed place a cap on the number of betting shops for which planning permission may be granted.
During my speech I extensively quoted Ms Sue Lawes, who has led campaigns against betting shops locally. I also praised her colleague, David Lammy MP for Tottenham, who has led the campaign nationally.
I am urging Ministers to use their review of the planning class system to give my constituents and those of other Members of Parliament much needed control over their local environment. With another planning application (Betfred) under appeal, I ask: “Is this really a community that needs 11 betting shops – or is it a community that is being cynically exploited by corporate business?”
I will be submitting my bill to the Government review of the system.
Related press:
Lewisham Deptford MP Joan Ruddock Battles To Change Law On Betting Shops Taking Over The High Street
Decision Halts Deptford High Street's Eighth Betting Shop
Greenwich and Woolwich MP Nick Raynsford Joins Fight Against High Street Betting Shops
Wells MP Tessa Munt Supports New Betting Shop Law
Burnham-On-Sea MP Tessa Munt Backs New Betting Shop Controls
The Bank's Gone From Your High Street, But At Least You Can Have A Bet
If it becomes law my bill, which has received cross-party support, would take betting shops out of their current planning class (which groups them with banks, building societies and other professional and financial services) and place them in their own class.
It would be possible to make planning judgements appropriate to the local area. Local planning authorities would be able to assess demand for betting shops and indeed place a cap on the number of betting shops for which planning permission may be granted.
During my speech I extensively quoted Ms Sue Lawes, who has led campaigns against betting shops locally. I also praised her colleague, David Lammy MP for Tottenham, who has led the campaign nationally.
I am urging Ministers to use their review of the planning class system to give my constituents and those of other Members of Parliament much needed control over their local environment. With another planning application (Betfred) under appeal, I ask: “Is this really a community that needs 11 betting shops – or is it a community that is being cynically exploited by corporate business?”
I will be submitting my bill to the Government review of the system.
Related press:
Lewisham Deptford MP Joan Ruddock Battles To Change Law On Betting Shops Taking Over The High Street
Decision Halts Deptford High Street's Eighth Betting Shop
Greenwich and Woolwich MP Nick Raynsford Joins Fight Against High Street Betting Shops
Wells MP Tessa Munt Supports New Betting Shop Law
Burnham-On-Sea MP Tessa Munt Backs New Betting Shop Controls
The Bank's Gone From Your High Street, But At Least You Can Have A Bet
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