POLICE are ‘very concerned’ about plans for a 24 hour casino in an area where there is ‘persistent’ anti-social behaviour.

Cumbria Constabulary said in a planning consultation the neighbourhood policing team believes the 24-hour operation of the proposed Admiral Casino on Dalton Road, Barrow, does not support their efforts to address anti-social behaviour in the area.

Plans were lodged earlier in July by Luxury Leisure to convert the former Shoezone into a 24-hour Admiral-operated adult gaming centre (AGC).

READ MORE: Admiral submits plans to open on Dalton Road, Barrow

Planning documents say the opening hours at the proposed casino are ‘critical’ to provide a ‘commercially sensitive operation’ and make a ‘positive contribution’ to town centre viability.

“Admiral units do not serve alcohol, nor do they allow the consumption of alcohol on-site. This helps to mitigate the potential for anti-social behaviour and thus further prevent adverse impacts on residential amenity”, the planning statement says.

Plans added there was ‘no evidence’ that the proposed adult gaming centre would contribute additional anti-social behaviour in the area and said it would help ‘diversify’ the evening economy of the town.

However, in response to the plans, the force said: “Due to the ongoing disruption and harmful impact on normal business activity in the area the neighbourhood policing team (NPT) is very concerned regarding the applicant’s proposed trading hours.”

The neighbourhood policing team added it was seeking council support to put a restriction on the trading hours.

The response adds: “The NPT contend that permitting the adult gaming centre (AGC) to operate 24/7 does not support their efforts to address anti-social behaviour (ASB) – and will bring persons to an area where there is no other 24-hour commercial activity.

“The NPT also points out that granting this approval will set a precedent that may have long term implications on local policing resources, i.e. a cumulative effect of other premises being permitted to open 24/7.”

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The planning statement says the former Shoezone has been empty for over a year and the proposed adult gaming centre (AGC) would ‘sustain the use’ of a high street premises that is ‘at risk’ of long-term vacancy.

According to the applicant, the proposed gaming centre would generate additional footfall in the town centre with survey data and evidence from other Admiral-operated sites suggesting that visits contribute to the success of other surrounding retailers through linked trips.

The planning statement says: “The proposed AGC would therefore have positive benefits to the wider town centre through bringing visitors into the town centre who would likely use other local services and facilities.”

Planning documents submitted by the applicant also look to address potential concerns relating to noise from the site.

Plans say sound insulation is used within all premises to shield surrounding occupiers from any noise and any music played within the premises is always at a background level. The planning statement also states there are no residential properties within a range of the site which could be impacted by noise.

Plans add: “This area of the town centre already has a number of late-night activities such as bars and restaurants. Any noise generation associated with the proposed AGC must be seen in this context and, regardless, any noise and disturbance associated with the proposed use would be significantly less than that associated with other evening economy type uses.”

Planning documents added the proposed casino would create 12 jobs in the area.

The planning application is undergoing public consultation.