Earlier this year we advised residents that Betfred was seeking permission to set up a new betting shop in Waterlooville precinct.
Over 100 objections were made by residents to the planning submission APP/16/00182 with 0 (zero) residents supporting the application.
On Thursday, Havant Borough Council gave BetFred the go ahead to set up the new betting shop. It is now likely other betting shops will move to the precinct.
How does that work when no one supporter the application and yet there were 100 objections? Don’t understand that
Someone at the council got paid?
while a betting shop probably isnt the best thing in the world, it is far better to have something there than an empty unit. I cant remember when that last had something in it. Seems HBC arent big on listening to objections – another example being the Costa in Emsworth. (Which is great!)
Backhanders were no doubt exchanged
Well that demonstrates beautifully how much the council refuse to listen to the people who pay their damn salaries!
No, they don’t listen… it is, sadly, all about what’s in it for the council. However, if the council hadn’t suffered so many cutbacks over the years, perhaps we would get decent shops. I blame the government!
we need SHOPS where you can actually buy something !! … not betting shops or estate agents or coffee shops or nail bars !! … wonder if anyone from HBC ever comes shopping in Waterlooville !!
I doubt it very much!
so do I Jeannette … coz there are no shops to buy anything in … unless you like charity shops !! x
But did you vote on the matter?
yes I actually signed the petition using the link that was provided at the time
its gotta be better than the shops all empty
Hi Tracy, if you have a few minutes, watch this short film from the BBC about betting shops: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p030r8h3
What’s your point about Waterlooville?
just coz they are there doesnt mean you have to go in and bet loads or even any
Oh great that’s all the gambling addicts need.And there’s plenty of them in portsmouth.
Pretty sure there is already a betfred in waterlooville it’s just moving location
We do not need betting shops, charity shops,coffee shops, phone shops or estate agents we need shops!!!’ When will HBC listen to residents?
4 out of your 5 examples are shops.
My point is we need shops that sell useful things, not the sort of shops that are opening. Sorry you missed the point!
Unbelievable!
I’m afraid ladies and gentlemen that because of the high rents and business rates, shops can’t afford to open in Waterlooville. I reckon the council should wave the business rates for 6 months and reduce or end parking fees. The car park outside the Havant leisure centre is much cheaper than the car parks in Waterlooville. It néeds a business owner to become a coucillor to highlight the consumers concerns. Rant over!.
I suppose business is money to hbc whoever it is.
It never ends. HBC have no interest in Waterlooville shopping centre just getting more council tax from all the new build houses and it is sure to get worse over the next few years
Not sure that this is the best use for an empty shop in Waterlooville… where will the punters go to spend their winnings?
They could pop into an estate agent to buy a house… LOL
The majority of the punters lose otherwise the betting shop would not be profitable…
I was thinking more of Costas to commiserate over a coffee…
Ladbrokes!
Betfred made a bet with the council that they wouldn’t get it. Cheeky
Betfred are one of few that can afford the landlords rent and the business rates.
Dan Baker
Surely any shop is better than an empty shop. Also, Don’t blame the council. The landlord sets the rent. That shop has been empty for 4 year no other shops are prepared to pay the rent. To say that other betting shops will move in is ridiculous, there are a limited number of customers for betting shops most people who want to bet go online.
The Local Development Framework, what was the Borough Development Plan contains details of the number of units which can be of a certain type of business, which will be defined by categories (e.g. A1, A2 etc). In this case the application is effectively a change of use from retail to financial. The officers will view the plan and recommend to the councillors to either refuse or permit the application.
Probably in this case it met with the correct criteria and the Councillors would have been hard pushed to refuse. If they had refused the application the applicant would have appealed and the inspector would have approved it over the councillors heads and the costs for the appeal would be paid for by HBC, e.g. Your council tax.
That is the reality, nothing to do with people not caring or anyone getting backhanders. Everyone can have their say in the LDF and there have been variously workshops where any resident can get involved and have their say.
We get offered backhanders, I must add that the offers have been very poor to date. I guess it’s all the austerity that’s going around, haven’t been tempted whatsoever. Have the arts of horse trading, skullduggery, and all out blackmail been lost? PS price list available on request. ð
Nigel Tarrant is absolutely correct. The application for change of use to a betting shop complied with the Local Plan policy and there were no material planning objections submitted by the objectors which would have supported a refusal of the application. We may all have preferences for what types of shop we would like to see but planning can not be used to restrict trade. Absentee landlords set the high rents and the government sets the business rates not your local council.
In my opinion an occupied unit is better than a unit empty for 4 years or more, as it helps to generate footfall in the town centre. if you want to help the shops in Waterlooville then shop in them rather than on the internet or outside the area.
Councillor Paul Buckley
Councillor for Waterloo Ward
But if the shop is moving from one side to the other it’s still a empty shop..
Exactly what Waterooville high street was missing… A betting shop.
Betfred ordered by the Gambling Commission to pay £800,000 after accepting cash from a customer who was offered free drinks and day trips to encourage him to keep betting, more information here: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/jun/14/gambling-commission-orders-betfred-to-pay-800000-pounds
What… that’s a prominent shop… a proper retailer would have done well in such a prime position. I remember when it was a lovely card shop…