MP loses fight to block gambling venue

Plans to turn an empty town centre shop into a gambling venue have been approved despite objections from the area's MP.

Cheshire East councillors backed proposals for an adult gaming centre on Edleston Road in Crewe, saying they could not identify planning grounds strong enough to refuse it.

The over-18s venue would contain gaming and slot machines. Crewe and Nantwich MP Connor Naismith argued the development would harm the area and was inappropriate because of its proximity to a new youth centre.

Several councillors also voiced concerns, but planning officers said issues surrounding gambling addiction and the operation of the venue would be considered separately through the licensing process.

The site has been vacant since March 2022 and the applicant said the venue would create two full-time and two part-time jobs.

The plans were referred to Cheshire East's planning committee at the request of local councillor Dawn Clark, who raised concerns about the impact on the area and the number of similar venues in the town.

Naismith, whose constituency office is across the road from the site, said the proposal was "fundamentally at odds" with efforts to regenerate the town centre.

He argued it conflicted with local and national policies aimed at improving high streets and creating thriving communities.

During the meeting, councillor Martin Edwards said the nearby Dome youth centre was one of the most positive developments he had seen in Crewe and questioned whether another gambling venue close by sent the right message.

Planning officer Daniel Evans told councillors the committee had to consider the change of use of the building rather than gambling itself.

He said officers had not identified a planning policy basis for refusing the scheme and that gambling-related concerns would instead be dealt with through a separate licensing process.

Committee chair Janet Clowes said councillors were clear about what they disliked about the application, but lacked "robust material planning reasons" to reject it.

The plans were approved, although the venue will still require a gambling premises licence before it can open.

BBC research last year found clusters of gaming centres in deprived areas. The ward covering the site is ranked among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England under the 2025 Indices of Multiple Deprivation.

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