New Bookies A Dead Cert For Hythe High Street

Shepway Development Control Committee has given planning permission for a new bookmaker on Hythe High Street.

Coming soon after the decision to allow Sainsbury’s to develop the old Smith’s Medical Site, a packed and occasionally vocal gallery listened to a lengthy debate at the Civic Centre on Tuesday night as councillors voted to allow the property at 88 High Street, the former Walter & Son shoe shop, to be used as a betting office.

Many councillors spoke against the application, but permission was granted as there were no clear grounds for refusal and the council could incur costs should the case go to appeal. An earlier condition which appeared to show that the use of the premises as a betting shop was not permitted was later clarified as not constituting grounds for refusal.

Conservative Cllr Michael Lyons maintained a vigorous opposition to the proposal, saying he was ‘amazed’ at the application, calling it a ‘retrograde step,’ and drawing comparisons with the Sainsbury’s application saying ‘this is another example of big national firms muscling in’.

Arguing, to applause from the gallery, that the opening hours were not acceptable, that gambling is already catered for in the town and a long list of contravened planning policies were grounds for refusal, Cllr Lyon's move to reject the application was defeated as advice from planning officers cast doubt on his assertions.

Conservative Cllr Pascoe gave guarded support, emphasising that he ‘loved Hythe’ and the ‘special’ high street, but added he was ‘not completely convinced the application will change the scenery all that much’, and if William Hill are prepared to put money into the development there is a good chance the shop will become a success.

Lib Dem Cllr McNeice echoed Cllr Pascoe’s remarks on this, saying it would be better to have a thriving business than an empty shop. Cllr Barker stated he thought it unlikely traffic would increase greatly reasoning any shop on the site would have customers visiting, and that it is not possible to protect a monopoly on the high street.

Other councillors, including Conservatives Tillson and North spoke against the application but could not find grounds for refusal.

Eventually a motion to accept proposed by Cllr Pascoe and seconded by Conservative Cllr Holben was passed with a change of permitted opening hours from 9am to 10am which was suggested by Cllr Holben.

Development of Hythe has been a hot topic in recent planning meetings. Repeated mentions of the previous Sainsbury’s application and applications for gaming and amusements in Hythe peppered the meeting.

It is interesting to note that more people attended this meeting than for the Sainsbury’s application. The Sainsbury’s application generated an organised opposition group which has recently lobbied the Government Office of the South East to reconsider the decision. It seems unlikely opposition to William Hill will be as organised or vociferous.