Too many of them will undermine the character and amenity of the area
Published 11 September 2024
Updated planning guidance strengthening the rules on the number of pay day lenders and betting shops opening in town and local centres in West Dunbartonshire is set to come into force.
Members of the Council’s Planning Committee agreed at a meeting this week to the guidance changes after receiving feedback from members of the public during a consultation event earlier this year. The majority agreed that a cap on the number of pay day lending and betting shops was appropriate.
The updated guidance sets limits on the number of pay day lending and betting shops allowed in town centres and local centres where there are clusters of retail premises.
This will allow for applications for these types of premises over the cap to be rejected on the basis that they will undermine the character and amenity of the area or the health and wellbeing of communities.
The guidance is based on views from members of the public collected in 2015 and additional information gathered in 2023 with the majority of people agreeing that pay day lending shops and bookmakers do not add to the vibrancy of town centres and have a negative impact on health and wellbeing.
They also agreed there should be a limit on the number of such premises being permitted in particular areas.
Chief Officer of Regulatory and Regeneration, Alan Douglas said: “The public view, now demonstrated over a number of years, is that these types of premises do nothing to add to the vibrancy of our communities.
“They adversely affect people on low incomes and who may already be struggling with their finances, particularly during a cost of living crisis.
“I welcome moves to strengthen planning policy ensuring that these types of premises do not overrun our town centres and local centres.”
Betting shops, pay day loan shops, pawn shops are all the emblems of a poverty stricken area.
And the run down dilapidated Dumbarton High Street is
most certainly a classic example of that.
Indeed, contrast Milngavie Town centre with Dumbarton and how different things can be becomes even more clear.
But why is it like this. Dumbarton has a river, a castle, a rich history, a national park on its door step whilst Milngavie doesn’t.
And why is it like this when Dumbarton has been predominately run and represented by Labour MPs, MSP and councillors.
And on other metrics the area fails too. Drug deaths, bottom of the table education results, ill health – and the best council money can buy.
All of the new schools built by the Scottish government this last 15 years have not moved the educational desire.
The politicos are quick to blame who it is that is to blame. This journal has no shortage of reports on that. But where do people come into this.
Education is free. We have new schools. University and college are also free. Education used to be the passport out of poverty, to a better life. So why the low level of school results. Why the low level of college and university take up.
Why the low to no level of pride in the town. Some people have pride, a sense of civic community, but many don’t.
Where is our aspiration for change, to improve, to make things better. More of that and things could be different.
Or should we all move to Milngavie. It’s a deadly serious question.
And yes, we now have a Labour MP who is part of a, Westminster government and was a councillor. What are his plans to try and help the, area to help itself get on its feet.
Dumbarton has a rich history Milngavie doesn’t. How do we make it happen