Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
#1
Call for 'clustering' action
More than two-thirds of local people (68 per cent) are against existing regulations that allow betting shops to take over banks and building societies' premises without planning permission, according to a new opinion poll.
A Local Government Association/ComRes poll found that more than three quarters (76 per cent) of people want central government to give councils new powers to prevent "clustering" of particular types of high street activity including betting shops, sex shops and fast food outlets.
The 'clustering' of high numbers of similar premises was cited as having a negative impact on the vibrancy of a local high street, the poll found.
Sir Merrick Cockell, chairman of the LGA, said: "This opinion poll shows local people want Government to give councils the powers to tackle unsightly clusters of sex shops, bookies and takeaways that can blight so many of our high streets. People want action so the places they live, work and shop can be revitalised to reflect how they want them to look and feel."
Councils are urging a shake-up of 'Article 4 directions' and want to see the introduction of a new local planning use class for premises of potential future local concern.
Within this new 'super' planning class, councils would be able to add premises - such as fast food takeaways or bookies - which local people believe have a negative effect on their high streets. This could also give councils the power to stop an over-concentration of supermarkets in a particular part of town, or to allow a greater diversity of smaller, independent retailers.
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#2
I have already asked the Planning Department at DDC about this class-use - having say a maximum of charity shops, bookies, phone shops, takeaways etc. and the answer was NO.
I do think it is a good idea as it would create greater diversity of businesses and give shoppers a bigger reason to come into Town.
Roger
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,226
#3
DDC have apolicy of betting office locations i.e. no new ones in the High St.
Deal has one High St. betting office close down.
Whilst you can't necessarily stop clusters [competition] you can define where located
Watty
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#4
whilst i can see the problem with clusters i am happy for any unit to be filled rather than be left empty.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#5
Betting shops don't seem to cause a problem Paul, certainly no where near as much as takeaways.
Any (over) accumulation of the same types of business is not good for any high street; greater diversity is what is needed, therefore a cap is needed.
Roger
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
#6
Sex shops are just an eye-sore. Kebab shops should indicate how much saturated fats are in their products.
On the whole, clustering is often self-regulating: when you get 10 take-away shops all in 100 yards of street, a number will close down for lack of business.
Guest 675- Registered: 30 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,610
#7
Unfortunately, with take-away's, a collection of them in a short distance creates a destination for late night revellers with the attendant problems. Other clusters (in particular charity shops and money lenders of all sorts) tend to reduce an areas attractiveness to shoppers and visitors. They may be "competition" for each other but the fact of them being clustered just diminishes the area for all.
Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.
Richard Armour
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#8
Re #6,
http://www.desiblitz.com/content/doner-kebabs-whats-really-in-them
But the chicken doner and the shish kebabs are all made with whole cuts of meat and are much healthier.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#9
when the doner kebab made its debut here many years ago it was all good quality mutton that made for a good meal out.
now it is all bits of rubbish withn crunchy bits in only fit for those who are desperate for something to fill up with after a hard nights drinking.
the shish and kofte are far superior and cost much the same.
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
#10
to be fair once the 24 hour license to stay open came in the problems were always on the horizon.
badly thought out.
with regard to sex shops/betting shops etc
theres a wide variety of differing views on whether or not they should be in place, or open in the first place
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
#11
The rubbish in doner kebabs would probably not be eaten if presented on a plate in its original forms. Then there are ghastly amounts of salt to keep the stuff from fouling, which is why a doner mass can stand for days on end next to a window under the blazing sun.
Captain Cook fed his men on certain vegetables and limes to prevent them getting scurvy, which was contracted by sailors eating for sustained periods salted meat.
