Betting shop will open after judge’s decision

5:23pm Friday 16th May 2008

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A CONTROVERSIAL betting shop is to open after a judge overturned a decision not to grant it a licence.

Residents had submitted a petition with 400 signatures last year against plans for a betting shop at the former Homeview Video store in Brockley Road, Brockley.

And at a Lewisham Council licence committee meeting last November, an application for a betting and gaming licence by Portland Bookmakers was refused on the grounds it could not ensure the protection of the area's children and vulnerable people.

However, at a Bromley Magistrates' Court appeal hearing held between May 13 and May 15, District Judge Michael Kelly overturned the decision and said the licence could not be refused on those grounds.

Portland director Michael Weaver said afterwards: "It's been a long time and we're pleased, of course.

"The council had argued it would harm vulnerable people in the area but we told the judge this wouldn't be the case."

Residents and councillors argued in court another betting shop could harm residents such as members of the nearby U-Turn, a project for recovering addicts, and pupils at Prendergast School in Adelaide Avenue.

Resident Glenda Rodgers, 46, of Braxfield Road, Brockley, opposed plans for the betting shop.

After the hearing she said: "I feel residents and the council made exemplary attempts to prevent the shop opening.

"This is an example of where residents have more social responsibility than the current policies introduced by this Government."

A previous application by the company had been turned down at Bromley Magistrates' Court last September because of the number of betting shops in the area.

But Portland submitted a second application following a change in Government legislation.

Green Party councillor Ute Michel, who represents Ladywell ward, said: "This is a real blow after residents have fought so hard and long.

"It is incredible we spend money on helping people to fight their addictions only for temptation to be put in their way like this."