A controversial planning application to transform a former clothing shop into an adult gaming centre has been refused by planners.
Merkur Slots (UK) Ltd applied to South Holland District Council for permission for a change of use of the former Dorothy Perkins store in Hall Place, Spalding, to a 24-hour slot machine arcade.
The application, which was submitted back in June, came up against much opposition with many people saying it wasn’t needed in the town and that it would encourage anti-social behaviour.
MP Sir John Hayes was one of the objectors, branding the plans “appalling”.
Last week district council planners refused the application saying it would have “a significant impact on the vitality of the Spalding town centre, being a small market town centre, and would detrimentally impact on the vitality of this retail frontage on a scale that undermines the retail function of the frontage, by reason of the nature of the proposed use being a form of development that would not protect the function of this part of Spalding as a retail centre within the conservation area.”
The refusal document continues: “Further, although technically this proposed use would relate to leisure and tourism, it is not considered that the use of this double fronted property would enrich the built environment of this part of the Spalding Conservation Area.
“For the above reasons it is considered that the proposal would be contrary to Policies 1, 24, 25, 26 and 29 of the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan (2019) and the intentions of the National Planning Policy Framework 2021.”
