NEW planning rules that will restrict the number of betting offices and payday lending shops set up across West Dunbartonshire are being introduced by the council.

It comes following research that shows the majority of town centre users felt that too many of these stores did not improve the vibrancy or vitality of the town centre, and they had a negative impact on health and wellbeing. 

The new guidance, approved by the planning committee earlier today, introduces limits on the number of payday lending and betting shops allowed in town and local centres. 

It also highlights where there are known clusters of these shops and where additional premises would be detrimental to amenity and community health.

The policy means that when considering applications for payday lending shops or betting offices elected members will not support premises that lead to overprovision which may also impact the character of the surrounding area. 

A document presented to the planning committee today highlighted that there are already two payday lending shops in Dumbarton, three in Clydebank but none in Alexandria. 

There are also three betting offices in Dumbarton, two in Clydebank and three in Alexandria while there are two betting shops in Dalmuir local centre and two in Hardgate. 

Now any application which looks to increase the number of premises to more than the combined total of payday lenders and betting offices in any town centre will not be supported. 

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With concerns that restricting these uses in town centres will “push” these uses out to local centres or other areas, preventive measures that state no more than two payday lending or betting offices combined will be supported by the council.

Proposals increasing the combined number of payday lending or betting shops beyond two will not be supported.

During the meeting provost Karen Murray Conaghan said: “We have got a situation in Alexandria where we have three betting shops but no payday lenders.

“I am content that both have negative impacts on our citizens and most vulnerable members of our community. I am on board with the approach we have taken as Alexandria is quite small in relation to somewhere like Dumbarton.”

Councillor Lawrence O’Neil said: “I am very much of the opinion that there is a direct correlation between payday lenders and debt.

“I am very happy with this legislation and feel like it should be approved.”

The finalised version of PayDay Lending and Betting Shop Planning Guidance will become a material consideration in planning decisions and will supersede the existing guidance.