BREAKING NEWS: Kingston Arena plans thrown out (From Surrey Comet)

Kingston Arena plans thrown out over crime and disorder fears

3:35pm Friday 23rd September 2011 in News By Martin George

Campaigners protesting outside the former Gala Bingo Hall

Controversial plans for 2,000-capacity arena have been thrown out because of crime and anti-social behaviour fears.

Councillors rejected the proposals to create the Kingston Arena on the former Gala Bingo Hall in Richmond Road, Kingston, after a seven-hour licensing hearing last Friday.

The council announced the decision this afternoon.

Campaigner Nicola Duffey said: “I’m very pleased, but it’s not over. It’s a long way to go.

“It’s round one, really. [The applicants] are in it for the long haul and they are going to appeal it, so now it’s gloves off and this is when the game gets really serious.”

Kingston police strongly objected to Matthew Deith and Malcolm Farquharson’s application, initially for 24-hour drinking, dancing and music, but later reduced to a midnight end time.

The councillors wrote: “As there is already an overspill of anti-social behaviour from Kingston town centre into the vicinity of the premises, in particular the subcommittee believed the grant of this premises licence would exacerbate damage to cars, urination and vomiting in front of residents’ properties in the vicinity of the premises, together with an unacceptable level of noise from persons leaving the premises in the evening and night time.

“With specific regard also being given to the police evidence, including statistics, showing the high level of reported crime and violence in Kingston town (Grove ward being the third highest in London) and the close proximity of these premises, it was considered that its location increased the likelihood of crime occurring at and in its vicinity.”