Planning committee rejects amusement arcade proposals

Planning committee rejects amusement arcade proposals

15 March 2023

A CONTROVERSIAL plan to redevelop a former bank in Downpatrick town centre into a new amusement arcade and adult gaming centre has been refused planning permission.

The decision to reject a proposal to transform the former Bank of Ireland building in Market Street — which had been recommended for approval by local planners — was rejected at last week’s meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s Planning Committee.

A decision on the application had been deferred from last month’s meeting of the Planning Committee to provide planners with an opportunity to ascertain the number of entertainment, amusement and gambling businesses currently operating in the town.

Councillors were told last Wednesday that there are five such businesses and that while permission was granted for a sixth, it was never formally implemented.

A number of local politicians and Downpatrick Town Committee are opposed to the proposed development which is being spearheaded by a Newtownabbey-based company which owns Joyland Amusements in Newcastle.

Oasis Retails Services Limited says its proposal includes a £350,000 refurbishment investment which will create up to 12 new jobs.

The proposed arcade’s opening hours would have been from 9am until midnight from Monday to Saturday and from 11.30am until midnight on Sunday.

Those opposed to the plan argued permission should not be granted at a time when work is underway to regenerate Downpatrick town centre and a new group has been established to oversee this vital work. 

Concern has also been expressed that the arcade would impact on efforts to regenerate Downpatrick town centre and could potentially deter future development and impact on footfall.

Oasis previously stated in planning papers that it is keen to establish a presence in Downpatrick and is dedicated to the promotion of responsible gaming, with its various premises across the province designed to cater for mature customers and only those over 18 will be permitted.

The company said it has identified the former Bank of Ireland building as an “ideal opportunity” to provide a “quality location” which will not result in any loss of retail floorspace within the town centre and that its plan can enhance Downpatrick’s evening economy.

Ahead of last week’s planning meeting, planners said the proposal to redevelop the former bank would not result in the loss of a retail unit and would not break up an otherwise continuous shopping frontage.

They said there was no change to the building’s internal floorspace an that no evidence has been provided regarding the impact of the proposed arcade on the proposed regeneration of Downpatrick, noise, disturbance and long opening hours or that it would put off potential investors or hamper regeneration efforts.

South Down MLA Patrick Brown and Downpatrick councillor Cadogan Enright have welcomed the decision.

Describing the planning application as “opportunistic”, Mr Brown said most politicians and political parties were opposed to it.

“Another gambling arcade will not add value to Downpatrick but only serve to fuel gambling addiction and prey on deprivation,” he continued.

“The Public Health Agency has noted that Northern Ireland has the highest estimated rate of problem gambling in the UK region and therefore it is right that the Council should not be adding to this issue.”

Cllr Enright said Downpatrick needed major investment to build on the town’s rich historic significance. 

“We need to develop an evening economy strategy, improve our infrastructure and attract private businesses that will bring quality jobs. We don’t need another amusement arcade,” he continued.

“Gambling addiction is a serious problem in Northern Ireland generally, and we already have numerous legitimate businesses operating in this arena in Downpatrick.”

Cllr Enright said he would reject any other proposals for amusement arcades that may come forward in the future and “continue to fight for Downpatrick to get the investment it needs.”