Making an objection to the betting shop licence for 513 Green Lanes

Advice from the LCSP

Thanks to everyone who wrote to the Planning Inspectorate to object to the proposed use of 513 Green Lanes as a betting shop.

Now that that deadline has passed, the next hurdle is the Licensing application made to LBH under the Gambling Act 2005.

Objections should be sent by post to

Ms D. Barratt, Lead Licensing Officer
Units 271-2 Lea Valley Technopark
Ashley Road
London N17 9LN

or by email to daliah.barrett@haringey.gov.uk (updated 02 Dec 09)

Deadline: 24 December

NB: As this is an application for a premises licence under the Gambling Act, the criteria for objecting are different from planning, and very specific.
Issues such as too many betting shops (over-supply) or moral objections to gambling are not considered.

There are only 2 licensing objectives under which we can oppose the application:

1. preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder, or being used to support crime.

2. protecting children and vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

In addition, the Act distinguishes between ‘disorder’ and ‘nuisance’ (ie between more serious crime and low level anti-social behaviour). Only the former is a valid concern, so issues of ‘nuisance’ cannot be addressed via the Gambling Act and the Licensing Committee.

Objections therefore have to be carefully worded and closely targeted in order to be relevant to the licensing objectives.

Sorry to be a bit technical about all this, but it’s the best way we have to succeed.

Best wishes
Ian
Chair LCSP

Ian was one of the time that successfully opposed the Agora bid for 24 hour opening and has extensive experience in fighting these applications.

See also Dear Mr Lammy .... Re Gambling Act 2005 for details of a local campaign to change the 2005 Gambling Act.