Plans to block construction of Surrey bingo hall quashed
Plans for the construction of an adults-only bingo hall were previously blocked after the hall was labelled an 'out-and-out gambling centre'
The decision to block a controversial 24-hour bingo hall in a Surrey town centre has been quashed on appeal.
Plans to turn the former NatWest on Staines High Street into a 61-seat, adults-only bingo hall have now been given the green light by a planning inspector.
The scheme was originally thrown out by Spelthorne Borough Council in November 2025. Councillors had previously argued the 24-hour venue would harm Staines’ high street and go against town centre policy.
At the time, several members questioned whether the proposal was really a bingo hall at all, describing it instead as an “out-and-out gambling centre”. Others raised concerns about it being over-18s only and operating around the clock.
But the planning inspector disagreed. In the appeal decision, Inspector H Marriott said bingo halls are recognised as appropriate for town centres. The inspector pointed out that town centres are changing with fewer traditional banks and shops than in the past.
The decision read: “Given the increased competition from online retail and services, it is also realistic to acknowledge that the site may not return to a bank or similar Class E use.”
It added that bringing the empty building back into use would likely give Staines town centre a boost rather than dragging it down. The former bank had been sitting empty for about a year.
No proven harm
The inspector found there was no clear evidence the bingo hall would harm neighbouring residents in terms of noise or disturbance, despite its 24-hour opening hours.
The decision noted that the site is in a busy town centre location where late-night activity already exists, and that the council’s environmental health team had not objected.
Concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour were also dismissed, with no evidence provided to show the bingo hall would lead to increased problems.
While acknowledging worries about the wider impacts of gambling, the inspector said such matters are controlled separately under licensing legislation, including the Gambling Act 2005.
Now, the developer has three years to transform the old bank site into the bingo hall of its dreams. Restrictions on opening hours were not imposed, with the inspector saying they would not be reasonable or necessary.