A BOOKMAKER'S bid to open a new betting office in Barnard Castle has fallen at the first hurdle.

Mr John Joyce, who already owns two smaller shops in the town, had applied to convert the former Motor World premises at 41 Market Place.

He has 34 betting shops throughout the Tees Valley, and his application was backed with a 220-signature petition from Barnard Castle customers.

On Wednesday, Teesdale planning south committee decided the proposed change of use from A1 retail to A2 financial and professional services went against the district council local plan to keep retail shops in the town centre.

Several members did not wish to see the loss of another town centre shop, but felt the plan was better than leaving it empty. But after a debate, with strong arguments on both sides, the meeting voted not to go against the local plan.

Coun John Hinchcliffe said: "No-one is more concerned about losing another shop than I am, but this has been an eyesore for the last couple of years. The point is, who the hell wants to take these empty shops on? They are far too big to start with and the rates are colossal."

The meeting heard that Mr Joyce intended to consolidate his business in Barnard Castle into one shop. Coun Hinchcliffe agreed with Coun William Salvin's suggestion that it would be much easier to lease those shops to other retailers.

Coun Margaret Hamilton agreed. She said she passed the shop on most days and it was an eyesore. She added: "The only other people who can afford the leases are the charity shops, so it would be better to get somebody else in now."

But planning officer Mr Trevor Watson said there was a danger of setting a precedent if they went against the local plan. "You are taking a very dangerous and potentially irreversible approach if this change of use is granted," he said.

"There would be difficulty in refusing any subsequent application for something like an amusement arcade."

The chairman, Coun Robin Simpson, was concerned that some members wanted to go against policies that had only recently been agreed. He added: "One of the things that visitors to the town say is that it is so nice to see the butcher's, the baker's, the candlestick maker's and I think we need to keep as many shops as possible."

Other concerns included the proposed alterations to the shop front and the possibility of screened windows and advertising displays.

Coun Galletley asked when was the last time the planning committee had seen a petition of this size. "I can't remember one," he said, "even when we have conducted our own consultation." Continued on page 3