PLANS for an amusement centre at 28 Courtenay Street, Newton Abbot, did not hit the jackpot with the committee on Monday. It unanimously refused the application by the Noble Organisation Ltd to change the use from retail to the amusement centre on the ground floor with tanning facilities on the first floor. Officers had recommended approval with a condition of 10am-6pm opening hours. Town planning consultant, Simon Collier, objecting, said policy stated that amusement centres would not be permitted in primary shopping areas. 'It would seriously harm the primary shopping area of Courtenay Street and conflict with adjoining businesses,' he said. The meeting heard that the town centre manager Barbara Ann Curran strongly objected to the proposal, as did the town council and businesses. Cllr Shirley Maddicott said they did not need an arcade in Courtenay Street when there was one around the corner in Queen Street. 'Children from the secondary schools go through Market Walk and into Courtenay Street and it would be a big temptation for them to start gambling,' she said. One of the conditions was that a retail display should be maintained at all times, and Cllr Keith Smith said they did not want things to look like shops. 'We want shops'. 'We all know the social problems these amusement arcades bring. We already have one arcade in Newton Abbot which is perfectly adequate,' he said. Cllr Mike Walters said the shopping area should be preserved and shortly with the opening of Asda the centre of gravity would open very much in the Courtenay Street area with the related pedestrianised area of Bank Street. Cllr Mary Colclough said she had been pushing for Newton Abbot to go up market. 'An amusement arcade would not do that. I think it would lower its tone,' said Cllr Colclough.
