Plans for a new betting shop in Wood Green have been rejected over fears it would add to anti-social behaviour problems in the area.

Paddy Power had applied to open a branch in Lordship Lane, near the junction with Dunbar Road, but the proposals were thrown out by Haringey Council’s licensing committee last night.

Neighbours and local councillors submitted numerous letters of objection to the application, running last night’s agenda to 400 pages, and several spoke in opposition at the meeting.

Committee chairman Councillor Ali Demirci said the committee felt another betting shop in an area already associated with anti-social behaviour would not be appropriate.

The Labour councillor said: “It was a long meeting but we felt we couldn’t pass the application at this time because we felt it would exacerbate issues of crime, disorder and nuisance.”

The application was submitted amongst a widespread local and political feeling that too many betting shops are blighting the borough’s high streets.

Haringey Council recently signed up to a nationwide campaign aiming to change planning laws and stop the clustering of betting shops.

Roxy Squire, Liberal Democrat candidate for Woodside who was at last night’s meeting, said: “It was clear just how much this means to local residents.

“I couldn’t agree more with the local people who spoke of safety concerns and the impact on our high streets of having so many betting shops.

“I am also delighted that the government are taking action and giving councils more powers to tackle clustering of betting shops.”

Lordship Lane already contains Ladbrokes and William Hill branches close to Acacia Road and Councillor Demirci said it can be difficult to prevent more gambling outlets opening.

He said: “The law currently favours the applicant and we are pushed into approving these applications.

“There is clear frustration from the local authority and residents that we don’t have the power to reject more of these, but in this case we took everything into consideration and felt it was not appropriate.”

Paddy Power wanted to open a new branch in Lordship Lane