Decision delayed on fourth betting shop application

Clackmannanshire Council’s Planning Committee met on Thursday to consider a planning application to change the use of the former TSB branch in Drysdale Street into a betting shop.

BoyleSports (UK) want to carry out a £380,000 refurbishment of the premises – which have lain vacant since closing in 2024 – and open an outlet which would see the creation of three full-time and three part-time jobs.

The application was brought before the committee after being called in by local councillors Ellen Forson and Kenneth Earle who raised concerns that it would be the fourth such shop in the town centre.

Planning officers had recommended approval, arguing there was insufficient local evidence to demonstrate that another betting shop would cause unacceptable gambling-related harm.

Team leader for the council’s planning and building standards service, Jacob Muff, said while there was a “relatively high concentration” of betting shops in Alloa, it didn’t automatically mean there was an overconcentration.

“The key point is we should be taking gambling-related harm very seriously, but we must also ensure decisions are balanced, proportionate and evidence based,” he said.

“We recognise gambling can cause harm but we should recognise the majority of people using these type of facilities do so recreationally.

“There is currently insufficient official information, in my view, to establish the extent of gambling harm.”

The plans had attracted several objections including one from community connector Sandra Forsyth who supports people affected by gambling harm in Clackmannanshire.

Addressing the committee, she said there was a “moral obligation” to protect the most vulnerable people in society while considering the plans.

“The fact I have been appointed indicates there is an issue with gambling harm in the area,” she said.

“You cannot really take this application in isolation. You already have three gambling premises in the area as well as a slot machine place and bingo place.

“Gambling premises do not give anything to the community and they just take money out of them.

“People using them are ones who are the most vulnerable, people who we are supporting in the community.”

Cllr Forson said she had asked for the application to come before the committee because of “serious concerns” about another bookmaker opening in the town centre.

“We all want pride in Alloa town centre,” she said. “We want vacant premises brought back to productive use, but not every use is appropriate just because it occupies an empty building.”

Speaking for the applicant, Nicola Woodward, senior director at Lichfields planning consultancy, said the development would increase footfall, create jobs and bring a vacant property back into use.

“It has been vacant since October 2024. It was marketed before TSB left the premises,” she said.

“More than 134 retail businesses were approached with a view to taking this unit and there has been no interest in taking this unit with the exception of another betting office and Boylesports.

“BoyleSports will spend over £300,000 refurbishing this business. There will be ongoing jobs created through the supply chains in Alloa and Clackmannanshire.

“Betting offices are very highly regulated. There are age restrictions, the duty of care that the premises manager has in terms of customers is very strongly set out in the licensing agreement.

“BoyleSports have very strong procedures in terms of what is acceptable and what is not.”

Councillor Donald Balsillie said he was concerned the building could remain vacant but was “leaning towards refusal”.

He said he wanted more information about community benefits and how the proposal fitted with work on the Alloa town centre masterplan.

Councillor Jane McTaggart questioned the need for another bookmaker when three were already within a five-minute walk of each other.

She said: “I cannot see a need for a fourth betting shop in such a small town.”

Committee convener councillor Denis Coyne questioned whether councillors had sufficient information to reach a decision and suggested deferring the application to allow further data on gambling harm to be provided.

Councillors unanimously agreed to defer the application for more evidence – and details of the town centre masterplan – until their January meeting.