Star Commercial Property Ltd has submitted plans to Brent Council to open a new bingo hall on Walm Lane, providing the vacant former Lloyds Bank unit with “a more active frontage.”
It comes just weeks after the authority wrote to DCMS urging a tightening of planning laws, with the new submission potentially testing how much the council still aims to permit.
“The proposed use will provide a more active frontage than a bank opening for longer hours every day,” said a statement from Star Commercial Property.
“The external appearance of this building will be improved by the provision of a new front entrance door and window display at street level.”
If approved, the bingo hall will open from 9am to 1am Monday to Friday, and until 12.30am on Sundays, however the council has already demonstrated a strong bias against new betting and gambling premises.
According to My London, council leader Muhammed Butt wrote to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy last month “urging the government to tighten planning laws around such venues, including giving local authorities the power to reject premises licence applications that ‘threaten the community’s welfare and safety.’”
Butt also called for bingo halls and AGCs to be included in the same licensing category as bookmakers.