Campaigners are celebrating after Wandsworth Council refused applications for two betting shops.

Councillors rejected planning applications at a meeting in the town hall on Thursday for two Coral betting shops in Tooting High Street, Tooting, and Mitcham Road, Tooting.

It comes after a Save Our High Street campaign was launched by businesses to combat the growing numbers of betting shops in Tooting.

Councillors dismissed the applications on the grounds betting shops would not be in keeping with the character of the town centre.

If approved the number of betting shops in Tooting would have risen to 24.

Changes to high street planning laws which came in last year makes it easier for betting shops to open in town centres.

MP for Tooting Sadiq Khan is calling on the government to give more power to residents and local authorities to control the number of betting shops opening.

He said: "Like many local residents I am relieved that Wandsworth Council have refused planning permission for yet another two bookies in Tooting.

"We already have too many, and certainly don’t want any more, and that is why alongside the community I have been so vocal in my objections.

"The response to the ‘Save Our High Street’ campaign, with hundreds of people already adding their name to the petition in the last month, has demonstrated the strength of feeling against more betting shops."


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