New powers to curb betting shop proliferation

THE following press release announces measures to address betting shop proliferation:

Lib Dems curb betting & pay day loan shops blighting local high streets

The coalition government has confirmed new powers for councils to curb betting and pay day loan shops opening on high streets by changing the planning rules.

The news is sure to be welcomed in Haringey where local Lib Dem councillors and community campaigners have fought against new betting shops and pay day loan companies opening.

There are 60 betting shops on Haringey’s high streets and 7 of these shops are on one stretch of Green Lanes, many local people believe no more betting shops should open.

Under the current legislation betting and pay day loan shops are in the same category as banks for planning purposes, making it easy to convert old banks into betting and pay day loan shops.

The Lib Dems in government put forward changes to the planning rules in parliament on Tuesday (24^th March). The new regulations put betting shops and pay day loan shops into a different planning class.

The new restrictions make it more difficult to open new betting and pay day loans shops. Companies will now need to get planning permission to open new betting and pay day loans shops.

Locally Haringey Lib Dems have raised concerns about the number of betting shops on Haringey's high streets and nationally the Lib Dems agreed at their conference last year to take action to tackle the problem.

Cllr Gail Engert, Lib Dem Spokesperson for Urban Environment, comments:

“This is great news for our local high streets. I am delighted that the Lib Dems in government have taken action and given councils more powers to curb the opening of new betting and pay day loan shops.

“Betting and pay day loan shops blight local high streets and the changes made by the government will make a real difference.”

Clive Carter
Councillor
Liberal Democrat Party