A Clackmannanshire councillor has formally requested that proposals to convert the former TSB premises on Drysdale Street, Alloa, into a betting shop be considered by the council’s Planning Committee, saying the national planning framework gives scope to examine the wider community impact.
Community health and town-centre character at heart of concerns
Alloa ward councillor Ellen Forson told the council she wanted the application to receive additional scrutiny. While welcoming the re-use of empty shops, she argued the type of business locating in the town centre matters for the town’s future character and the wellbeing of residents.
"I absolutely want to see empty premises in Alloa town centre brought back into use… But we should also be ambitious about the kind of town centre we are trying to create."
Councillor Forson referenced Scotland’s National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), which specifically mentions betting offices and permits planning authorities to consider how further gambling premises could affect community health and amenity, particularly in more disadvantaged areas.
Concentration of bookmakers and gambling harm
In her statement, Forson noted several bookmakers already operate within a compact area of Alloa town centre and said she had been contacted by organisations working with people affected by gambling harm. That contact, she said, informed her view that increased visibility and accessibility of gambling could have negative effects on individuals and families.
- Proposed change of use: former TSB branch → betting shop
- Location: Drysdale Street, Alloa town centre
- Action requested: referral of application to Planning Committee for detailed consideration
The councillor also highlighted local work on gambling harm, saying Clackmannanshire is developing a "whole-system approach" focused on prevention, harm reduction and treatment — a policy backdrop she believes should inform planning decisions.
Planning policy gives scope for wider considerations
Under NPF4, planning authorities are enabled to weigh the potential health and wellbeing effects of additional gambling outlets when deciding applications. Forson drew attention to this distinction, arguing that while planning is not ordinarily used to limit the number of one type of business, the national policy specifically flags betting offices as a legitimate planning consideration.
Her request for committee-level consideration signals an intent to test how national policy translates into practical assessment at a local level, balancing the aim of bringing vacant units back into use with protecting community wellbeing and town-centre amenity.
What happens next
The council’s planning team will determine whether the application is referred to the Planning Committee. If it proceeds to committee, members will have the opportunity to examine the application against NPF4, local planning policies and representations from residents and interested organisations, including those who work with people affected by gambling harm.
For residents and traders in Alloa, the case highlights wider tensions common to many town centres: the need for investment and activity in vacant units, set against ambitions to shape a town centre that supports public health, economic diversity and a particular local character.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Site | Former TSB, Drysdale Street, Alloa |
| Proposed use | Betting shop |
| Key policy | Scotland's NPF4 (consideration of gambling premises) |
| Councillor | Ellen Forson (Alloa ward) |
Residents concerned about the application should monitor the council planning portal for submission details and consultation opportunities. Any decision will be watched closely by local community groups and traders given the potential implications for town-centre dynamics and efforts to address gambling-related harm.
