A BETTING shop in Rose Hill has been approved by city councillors by six votes to two.

The East Area planning committee was tonight asked to consider whether 4 Courtland Road – previously occupied by the Oxford Bed Company but now an empty shop – could have its use changed from “shops” to “financial services.”

The application was submitted by Coral, also requested approval for a one-storey extension to the back of the shop and for a light-up sign.

Residents had expressed concerns that another betting shop in the area, in addition to a nearby Ladbrokes, could result in a rise in antisocial behaviour.

But officers warned councillors that they could not refuse it on the grounds that residents did not want a betting shop – because Government planning policy means that that they can only consider the change of use to "financial services" - and not that it could become a betting shop specifically.

Councillors voted for two extra conditions on the approval.

It was agreed that a limit on noise levels would be put on the air conditioning units Coral has included in its plans.

There was also an agreed restriction for the signs to be lit up only during the shop's opening hours – 8am to 10pm.

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