Petition Tag - bookmakers

Betfred applied for a Betting License at 93-95 Deptford High Street, most recently the home of the Halifax. They got it (Feb 9th) because the Gambling Act 2005 disallows almost any kind of objection.

They then applied to Lewisham Planning for change of use since the present planning permission only covers Building Societies. Lewisham turned them down. This petition, then totalling 181 signatures, was submitted together with a paper petition, to form one of the 79 objections that were made to Betfred's application.

Betfred are now appealing the decision at the next level, the government's Planning Inspectorate. In their appeal, Betfred state:

"...the use of the unit as a licensed betting office rather than a bank/buiding society would not adversely affect the diversity of uses or the vitality and viability of the area. The proposed use will create a level of footfall similar to that of an A1 retail unit."

Except most retail units are not open in the evening encouraging drinking and begging outside on the pavement.

"...there is nothing to suggest the use of the premises as a betting shop would cause harm in terms of anti-social behaviour, crime or disturbance to neighbouring residents and other users of the town centre. This reason for refusal is based on a subjective view of the type of people that use betting shops. There is no evidence that customers visiting betting shops are any more likely to cause harm in terms of anti­social behaviour, crime or disturbance than any other use present along Deptford High Street."

Funny, then, that street drinking is only taking place outside betting shops and not other retail outlets...

See their original planning application online

They also applied to change the rear of the building, which they were granted.

If they win, Betfred will be the eighth bookies on the high street, and the sixth within a cluster of betting shops within a 150m stretch. Add the three round the corner in Evelyn Street and that's a total of eleven.

Make your objection known here, and if you have personal experience or a strong opinion, please leave a comment.

You are also invited to object in writing to the Planning Inspectorate by emailing:
teamp6@pins.gsi.gov.uk
Address your letter to Mrs Ruth Howell, quoting reference: APP/C5690/A/11/2151228/NWF
Deadline: THURSDAY 9 JUNE 2011.

For background reading go to:

MAY 2011 - BETFRED APPEAL
Betfred Appeal Planning Decision

MARCH 2011 - BETFRED REFUSED PLANNING PERMISSION
Betfred Planning Refused Planning Permission

FEBRUARY 2011 - BETFRED TRIES TO TAKE HALIFAX
Objections to Betfred Planning Application

JANUARY 2011 - BETFRED TRIES TO TAKE HALIFAX
Betfred Planning Application Deadline
Betfred Licence Hearing
Petition Parliament
10th Betting Shop

OCTOBER 2010 - PADDY POWER TAKES THE JOHN EVELYN

Paddy Power license granted
another Paddy Power

MAY 2010 - PADDY POWER TAKES THE DEPTFORD ARMS

Paddy Power Planning Applications
Paddy Power Deptford Arms

NATIONAL PETITION
Please also sign our sister petition to lobby government to change the 2005 Gambling Act:
Stop Betting Shops

View petition

The 2005 Gambling Act gives local authorities very limited powers to refuse Gambling Licenses and Planning Permission to large betting chains. When councils and local communities try to prevent new betting shops opening, companies appeal at great cost to the local authority – at a time when cuts to their funding make this impossible. The industry is prepared to bankrupt councils to get an even greater hold on our high streets.

Bookmakers are currently targeting the poorer areas in our cities and towns. In some cases there are as many as 12 or 13 in one street. In mad competition with each other, they bid for any freeholds available in the certain knowledge they will be granted licenses. Often they are clustered together and are the cause of antisocial behaviour and theft, making parts of a street a no-go area. They take advantage of people in desperate financial circumstances and are encouraging gambling addiction in those who can least afford it, threatening the futures of our communities' children.

We are calling on the government to change the Act and give local communities a greater say over their high streets. There should be a separate planning class for betting shops to give councils and residents the power to determine their location and overall numbers. Presently councils cannot deny an application on the basis of the number already open in their area.

John Penrose MP at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is on record as saying he isn't convinced the law needs changing because he's only heard a complaint from one London Borough (Hackney).

Therefore the aim of this petition is to show the government that it is not just a problem in the poorer parts of London, but is prevalent across the country, especially in the outskirts of our major towns and cities.

It is not a petition against betting, it's about changing the law to enable communities to combat the proliferation of betting establishments.

It is also completely independent and aims to be cross-party. In London, the only voices to be heard so far are from Diane Abbott MP for Hackney, David Lammy MP for Tottenham, and Ken Livingstone MP for Brent East (in his campaign for Mayor of London). If your council or MP has it on their agenda let us know, or email them this petition and put it on their agenda.

Please help bring this to national and media (and therefore government) attention by signing the petition and passing it on to friends and relatives in other parts of the UK.


LOCAL PETITION

This national petition was started in Deptford, part of the London borough of Lewisham, where both Labour MP and council have not been particularly vocal about the problem of betting shops since 2009 when Lewisham Council was the lead authority on a proposal submitted to central government as a suggested amendment to the Sustainable Communities Act that would allow councils to have the power to cap the number of bookmakers in a certain area.

We're still waiting.

If you live in the Deptford area, please see our sister petition against the licensing of the eighth betting shop in Deptford High Street. Go to:
www.gopetition.com/petition/42164.html

View petition

Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) have increased gambling addiction in the UK, and caused misery to many.

The Irish Government have banned FOBTs - the UK Government should also value its social conscience above the tax benefits it may receive from the huge profits the bookmakers receive from FOBTs (well in excess of £1 billion a year) and ban them from the high street - if not banned completely. Regulated casinos are the only suitable environment for them within the UK.

View petition

Regarding an application for a Bookmakers in Tottenham. The said address: 261a High Road Tottenham - Everybody's Music. This music shop has been in existence for more than 30 years. Naturally we, the Tottenham community will be sad to see the shop close. Even more sad to see Paddy Power in its place!The area already is a deprived area and has at least 37 Bookmakers in the vicinity. (Tottenham and Haringey Green Lanes.

Such establishments causes not only crime and disorder but are a public nuisance and clearly encourage anti-social behaviour.

Please support me in this petition, particularly if you reside or work in the N15 area. We have until 17 June 2010 to present this info to Haringey Council.

David Lammy, MP puts this message across on his website.

http://www.davidlammy.co.uk/No_More_Gambling_With_Our_Community

View petition

Whipping of horses in horse racing is cruel and not acceptable. To carry a whip is Ok but using it excessively is barbaric.

View petition