Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Leigh on March 7, 2014 at 16:13

Hello - I've done so - we're only at 50 names. Please could everyone sign it and pass it on to anyone else who may be interested. Ultimately, changing the legislation passed under the previous govt which has made almost impossible for residents and local authorities to block applications is the way forward. 

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Permalink Reply by dawnage on March 10, 2014 at 22:33

Signed. What a step backwards for an area to have yet another betting shop!

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Permalink Reply by Katie Tucker on March 11, 2014 at 22:23

http://haringey.gov.uk/index/business/licensing_regulations/licensi...
here is the link to the council page where you can find out how to object officially.
I will post a draft letter template here tomorrow if you wish to follow it - print, sign and send or email to the licensing authority.
many thanks for your support
katie

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Permalink Reply by Leigh on March 13, 2014 at 13:02

thank you!

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Permalink Reply by Leigh on March 13, 2014 at 13:05

As well as signing the petition, please send an email stating your objectives to licensing@haringey.gov.uk - there is a lot of activity on this topic on Harringay Online. I copied in David Lammy who has been very active on this issue and received a swift response. Details of response and original email below. I got a swift response to my email to licensing from David Lammy's office which I've shared below and includes my original email. Sorry it's a bit long!!!

Dear Leigh

 

Re: Paddy Power’s Application for Planning Permission for a betting shop at

606 Lordship Lane, London, N22 5JH

 

Thank you for contacting my office regarding Paddy Power’s submission of planning permission for a new betting shop at 606 Lordship Lane, London, N22 5JH.

 

I totally share your concerns. There are now over 65 bookmakers in Haringey. Our high streets are becoming consumed by betting shops and pay-day lenders.

 

It is a fundamental element of localism, indeed of democracy, that citizens in a particular area should have a say over what happens in that area. Local people do not want yet another betting shop damaging the fabric and diversity of Haringey’s high streets. Local councils do have some powers, although limited, to control the number and locations of betting shops, and we ask them to listen to the views of local people when making this decision.

 

As you know, I did table an amendment to the Localism Bill, which would have given councils new powers to control the number of betting shops on their high streets. Sadly, my amendment was defeated by Liberal Democrat and Conservative MPs. 221 Labour MPs voted for the amendment, which fulfilled a 2010 Manifesto pledge to empower communities to control betting shop numbers. 315 Liberal Democrat and Conservative MPs voted against the amendment, including the Member of Parliament for this constituency, Lynne Featherstone.

 

Betting shops have sadly become an increasingly familiar sight on Haringey’s high streets. For example, within walking distance, there are nine gambling premises in one 350 metre stretch of Harringay Green Lanes. We can, however, make a difference. In October 2012, I led a successful campaign with local communities from across the borough to prevent a new betting shop opening on Green Lanes. Despite the fact that the incumbent MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, Lynne Featherstone does not oppose the opening of new betting shops, we can still pressure the Licensing Committee of Haringey Council to reject planning permission for this site.

 

I will shortly be launching a local and national campaign to oppose the opening of another betting shop on Lordship lane, and I would be thrilled if I could count on your support. Please sign up to my newsletter using the following link to receive more information on the campaign:  http://www.davidlammy.co.uk/New_Tottenham_Newsletter    

 

Finally, Catherine West Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Hornsey and Wood Green and I are leading a local campaign against the opening of this particular betting shop, and it would be great if you could sign the petition we launched yesterday, calling on Haringey Council Licensing Committee to reject planning permission. The petition can be found by clicking here.   

 

Thank you for contacting my office regarding this important matter. I assure you I will continue to campaign against the proliferation of betting shops threatening the livelihoods of our high streets and communities.

 

Kind regards

 

Rt Hon David Lammy MP

Member of Parliament for Tottenham

020 7219 0899

 

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-----Original Message-----
From: 
Sent: Thursday, 13 March, 2014 11:51am
To: "licensing@haringey.gov.uk" a href="mailto:licensing@haringey.gov.uk">licensing@haringey.gov.uk>
Cc: "lynne@lynnefeatherstone.org" a href="mailto:lynne@lynnefeatherstone.org">lynne@lynnefeatherstone.org>, "mail@davidlammy.co.uk" a href="mailto:mail@davidlammy.co.uk">mail@davidlammy.co.uk>
Subject: Objection: Paddy Power on Lordship Lane

I am writing to strongly object to the proposed Paddy Power betting shop taking over a former local pub on Lordship Lane, N22.

 

The cluster effect of betting shops is negative for the community for a myriad of reasons including encouraging anti-social behaviour, gambling addiction and draining the incomes of often the poorest people. There are already two betting shops in this short stretch of road, and it is absurd to allow another. I understand that current legislation makes it difficult for councils, communities and businesses to oppose betting shops. This leaves communities – the people who actually have to live next to them – powerless, angry and living with the outcomes. These outcomes include:

 

Increased litter as people, nearly always men, cluster outside betting shops smoking

Intimidation from men standing around in groups – I have been spat at and verbally abused at two betting shops on Wood Green High Street

Pushing other businesses – like cafes, bookshops, clothes shops, grocery stores, restaurants – all things that contribute to the communities that live there rather than detract from them

Increasing opportunities for gambling while cynically targeting the poorest areas

 

It is difficult, indeed impossible, to make a case for how granting Paddy Power a license would in any way enhance the local community or be a benefit to local people. It is easy to say however that legislation means we can’t do anything. It would be wonderful, and I think necessary, to see the council standing up to this, and other applications, and it is absolutely clear that we need  legislation change so that betting shops are not given unfettered access to to feed off of our communities, not only in Wood Green but across the UK.

 

I note that Lynn Featherstone has made a stand against betting shops, however, I also understand that she voted against David Lammy’s amendment to the localism bills to change the use class of betting shops which would have make it much easier for local authorities to control them. Voting against this has had serious consequences for local people and absolutely undermines her stand against the proliferation of betting shops.

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Permalink Reply by Leigh on March 13, 2014 at 20:09

hi Tom - there's info on this in the thread http://www.harringayonline.com/forum/topics/another-betting-shop-pl... - another reason for clustering is that the fixed odd betting machines are highly profitable however, they are only allowed four per shop which has partly led to the cluster effect to maximise profits. Even the CEO of William Hill stated in January that cumulative impacts of lots of betting shops in one area was negative. 

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Permalink Reply by Richard McKeever on March 23, 2014 at 13:00

There is a community demonstration against this proposed development today, Sunday 23rd in Lordship Lane:

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Permalink Reply by Leigh on April 30, 2014 at 13:07

For those who signed the petition, put up posters and wrote the council, it looks like the application has been rejected - which really is great news and sets an excellent precedent!  http://www.haringeyindependent.co.uk/news/11182269.Paddy_Power_open...

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Permalink Reply by Ashleena Deike on April 30, 2014 at 13:22

Yes, it has. 

It was rejected at a licensing meeting last night. 

This is really great news for both people power and fighting back against betting shop clusters...

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Permalink Reply by GB Kaz on May 1, 2014 at 10:45

I'm so pleased this was rejected. I heard that the government are bringing in proposals to limit the impact of betting shops and gaming machines, which is long overdue.

 

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Permalink Reply by Ashleena Deike on June 10, 2014 at 17:02

Hi Everybody...I HAVE SOME IMPORTANT NEW NEWS ABOUT THE LORDSHIP and PADDY POWER issue

Paddy Power has lodged an appeal to the initial licensing rejection.  The first hearing is set for 23rd July.

The group who has been lobbying to try to stop the application would now like to list the Lordship as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) to see if this can protect the decision being overturned as a stopgap measure.

They need 21 signatures from residents of Haringey who are also on the electoral roll.

They are also looking for people with relevant experience who can support them longer-term.

There is a meeting tomorrow at 8PM outside the Lordship where they are hoping to gather signatures as well as speak to anybody who could help them out.

Please pop along if you are free...THANKS....

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