Harrow Council has rejected plans submitted by JMS Planning and Development Ltd to open a 24-hour AGC in a vacant retail unit in the town centre, despite the plans previously receiving approval on appeal.
The council’s Planning Committees voted unanimously to reject the proposal after expressing concern the site would have “a very negative impact” on residents occupying newly-built flats nearby.
It is bizarre grounds for rejection considering only circa 45-48 percent of the population actually gambles each month – and more than half of those only gamble on the National Lottery…but one would expect Harrow Council to have taken the same precautions on the sale of scratchcards to vulnerable people in nearby newsagents.
Harrow Online reported: “JMS Planning and Development Ltd was looking to re-establish a previously granted application, allowed under appeal, to open the gaming centre on Station Road in Harrow Town Centre. However, the building the approval was attached to – previously in use as a betting shop – has since been demolished and redeveloped.”
“Since the original building has been demolished, the site has been redeveloped with the construction of a four-storey building with residential homes on the upper floor and a currently vacant commercial space on the ground floor.”
Chair of the Planning Committee, Marilyn Ashton, was responsible for bringing the application before councillors as she “didn’t agree with the recommendation to approve and believed its impact on residential amenities meant it could be challenged.”
“In my view this will have a very negative impact on people living above it, next to it, and behind it because it is open 24 hours-a-day,” said Ashton.
Well, living above a shuttered shop, which is likely to be graffittied up and vulnerable to being broken into is a far better option for the nearby residents.
Originally published on Coinslot on February 2, 2026. Republished with permission.