Warm welcome for gambling rejection

Plans for a gambling arcade in a Staffordshire village were turned down "for the good of the community", according to a councillor.

Heath Hayes and Wimblebury ward councillor John Jillings welcomed the recent decision by planners at Cannock Chase Council to turn down the application to transform a furniture shop on Hednesford Road, Heath Hayes into a gambling arcade. Although he is not on the planning control committee he made an appeal on behalf of residents.

He said he was pleased that councillors of all parties refused the plans for the good of the village.

He said: "It is not just about politics, councillors wanted that proposal to fail for the good of the community.

"I spent a lot of time speaking to people in the area about the plans, particularly Chapel Street residents who would have been opposite the arcade.

"All of them said they didn't want the arcade because they were concerned about anti-social behaviour it may cause.

"Arcades by their very nature will attract the younger element of the community and it may cause a problem.

"I was cynical as to whether they would be able to monitor that the people going in would be 18 and over.

"The other concern was if underaged people did get in and win they would take their winnings next door to the off license.

"The local police have enough work to do without another problem."

He said while there may have been an arcade in Hednesford and in Rugeley, Heath Hayes was not suitable because it is a small village, not a town.

There were also fears from residents and councillors that youths would congregate outside.

Councillor Jillings added: "An arcade just will not be suitable for that particular area."