Plans to turn bank into gambling venue rejected

Plans to convert a a seaside town's last high street bank into a 24-hour gambling venue have been rejected following a local backlash.

Luxury Leisure's proposal to convert the Halifax on Whitby's Baxtergate after its closure in May was rejected by councillors at a committee meeting on Thursday.

More than 500 objections were lodged by residents, with councillors going against planning officers' recommendations to grant permission for the development.

Councillor Derek Bastiman, who represents the Scalby ward, told the committee: "If it's approved, Whitby will become the Las Vegas of the east coast."

He added: "I can see no benefit to the town or the wider area."

Alison Hume, Scarborough and Whitby MP, recently presented a petition to the House of Commons – signed by more than 400 residents – urging the government "to encourage North Yorkshire Council to reject the application".

Luxury Leisure, trading as Admiral, would have invested £500,000 in the property and created 12 full-time equivalent jobs at the centre, its representative said.

"The proposed 24-hour use will ensure footfall to the town centre," the firm previously stated.

Chris Clark, a Whitby resident who attended the meeting, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "I think the residents used quite strong words to describe how offended they were about this.

"I think democracy has won and the tone and determination of the town's people also won."

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