170 High Street, Southend, SS1 1JX

‘change of use of 170 High Street, Southend from a vacant Class E unit to an Adult Gaming Centre (AGC) (Sui Generis) (SG) use to allow Merkur Slots Ltd (UK) to occupy the unit’

Authority: Southend-on-Sea City Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: leisure-sport · Change of use
Inspector: Smith J

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The effect of the proposed development on the vitality and viability of the City Centre

What decided it

The unit's prolonged vacancy and unsuccessful marketing, combined with the proposed window display design and potential for linked trips with nearby leisure uses, meant that introducing an adult gaming centre would contribute positively to the vitality of the City Centre without harmful effect.

Framework references: 90

Plan policies cited: Policy PA1, Policy DS1, Policy CP4, Policy KP2, Policy DM1, Policy DM3

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