Nick Raynsford, Labour MP for Greenwich and Woolwich, has written to Communities Secretary Eric Pickles in support of moves to make it more difficult for betting shops to take over the High Street.

Joan Ruddock, Labour MP for the nearby seat of Lewisham Deptford, has recently put forward a Ten-minute Rule Bill arguing for betting shops to be placed into a different "Use Class” in planning terms. Although the Bill may not become law, the Government is reviewing the rules over when planning permission is needed to change the uses of buildings.

Currently, betting shops are grouped with banks, building societies and other professional and financial services in Use Class A2. The current rules mean that when a building changes from being a bank, solicitors’ office or estate agent to a betting shop, only a licensing application is needed, not a planning application.

“There are concerns locally about the huge increase in the number of betting shops in Woolwich town centre in the last few years, and also more and more betting shops opening in East Greenwich and in Blackheath,” says Nick. “This contributes towards the erosion of retail diversity, and can worsen the problems of anti-social behaviour and problem gambling. The problem is at its most serious in deprived areas, many of whose residents can ill-afford a gambling addiction”.

“I hope the straightforward change proposed by Joan Ruddock in her ten-minute rule bill can be made soon”, he adds.