CONTROVERSIAL plans to set up an adult gaming centre full of slot machines in Newbury have been approved.

Cashino Gaming applied for planning permission to convert the old betting shop at 11 to 13 Market Place into a 24-hour gaming centre called Merkur Slots.

A West Berkshire Council planning committee approved the plans at a meeting on October 11, but decided to restrict the opening hours.

Councillor Hillary Cole (Conservative) said: “I see no reason to have a 24-hour gambling premises in that building.

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“We are hardly Las Vegas and this is hardly Caesars Palace.

“Market Place can’t be described as a strip for gambling, so I would be more comfortable with restricting the opening hours.”

She added: “I cannot think there is a great demand for 24-hour gambling in Newbury.”

Cllr Tony Vickers (Liberal Democrat) said: “The fact that gambling is addictive, is a good reason not to have it open 24/7.

“They are unlikely to ever have more than one person working there at a time, which is a slight concern because if there is a disturbance one person is probably going to lock themselves in the staff room.”

The planning committee imposed a condition that requires the gaming centre to close at 3am on Saturday and Sunday mornings and shut at midnight on every other night of the week.

Cashino Gaming can appeal against that condition within six months.

In a statement read at the meeting, the company said a noise assessment has been carried out and it “concludes that a 24-hour use will be acceptable”.

It adds: “By virtue of its central location and well-managed operation, there are not considered to be any risks from noise to nearby residents.”

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Before the meeting, the council received 10 objection letters and a petition signed by more than 200 people who oppose the plans.

However, there were no objections from Thames Valley Police or environmental health officers who deal with noise complaints.

The council’s licensing sub-committee is currently considering Cashino Gaming’s application for a bingo premises licence and it is due to make a decision in the coming days.

The application was discussed at a meeting of the sub-committee on Monday, November 9.

Philip Kolvin QC, a barrister representing Cashino, told the meeting there is “no evidence” to suggest opening this gaming centre will lead to an increase in crime or anti-social behaviour in Newbury town centre.