Barnet Council Refuses Adult Gaming Centre Despite Officer Recommendation Due to Public Health Concerns

Barnet Council Refuses Adult Gaming Centre Despite Officer Recommendation Due to Public Health Concerns

Barnet Council's Planning Committee has refused permission for a change of use from a betting office to an adult gaming centre, despite planning officers recommending approval. The decision, made at a meeting on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, highlights the council's increasing focus on public health concerns related to gambling.

While planning officers cited the existing lawful use of the premises as a betting office and appeal decisions as grounds for approval, public health colleagues strongly objected. They raised concerns about gambling-related harm, health inequalities, the potential impact on vulnerable groups, mental wellbeing, financial hardship, and the normalization of gambling. The report notes that Public Health considers that the proposal would contribute to an over concentration of gambling premises within Golders Green Town Centre and raises concerns regarding the impact on vulnerable groups, mental wellbeing, financial hardship and the potential normalisation of gambling.

Councillors echoed these concerns, with some arguing that a betting shop and a slot machine shop are distinct uses, allowing for refusal. The council's Local Plan Policy TOW03 seeks to address health inequality and preserve the vitality of town centres by resisting the proliferation and over concentration of betting shops, Adult Gaming Centres, amusement arcades, pawnbrokers, payday loan shops, and shisha bars. The policy supports such proposals only if they are separated from existing similar units by at least two units in a different use, provide an active frontage, and do not have a significant adverse impact on local amenity.

Despite the officer's recommendation, which was based on existing lawful use and appeal decisions, the committee voted to refuse the application. The planning officer had argued that the proposed use would not be significantly worse than the existing lawful betting office, citing appeal decisions such as the one at 4-6 Cricklewood Lane where an Inspector found no increased concentration of gambling premises. They also referenced the approval at 847 High Road for a similar change of use and appeal decisions regarding restricted opening hours (07:00-00:00) at 48 Golders Green Road and 48 Ballards Lane to protect residents.

However, the committee's decision to refuse highlights a potential shift in how such applications are viewed. The refusal was based on public health objections and the concentration of gambling uses. Councillor Conway noted that if it does go through, there will be two for this – of slot machines, close bar, close together. And, that adds to the argument about concentration. The planning officer also mentioned that there's 11 such facilities in Golders Green Road, including one by the applicant, Mirka Slotts, that have already got a shop on Golders Green Road.

This decision suggests that Barnet Council may be more inclined to refuse future applications for adult gaming centres, particularly if they are not replacing an existing gambling use. The committee's decision underscores the weight given to public health concerns, even when officers argue that the impact would not be worse than the existing lawful use. The council also expects proposals for these uses to complete its Health Impact Assessment screening tool.

Both a betting office and an adult gaming centre are considered 'Sui Generis' uses, requiring specific planning permission for a change of use. While the operational differences between a bookmaker and an adult gaming centre exist, the planning officer noted that the existing lawful use as a betting office was a material consideration. The officer stated, we think we would struggle to rehearse an argument that the proposal would be much worse in terms of the impact that it would have on the local area as compared to this existing lawful betting office.

The report for the 867 Finchley Road application mentions that the site is within Golders Green District Town Centre and is surrounded by a mix of retail, commercial, service, and food and drink uses. The premises form part of the locally listed Crescent Parade and are within the Golders Green Town Centre Conservation Area.

Further details on the meeting can be found in the Public reports pack and the Agenda frontsheet.