Government rejects Planning and Infrastructure Bill gambling cumulative impact assessment amendment

The Government has rejected a proposed amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill that sought to place gambling cumulative impact assessments (CIAs) on a statutory footing. The amendment, tabled by Lord Foster of Bath, aimed to empower planning authorities to consider the concentration of gambling premises when assessing applications for change of use or new developments.

Speaking in the House of Lords, Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, made clear that while the Government supports the principle of CIAs for gambling, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill is not the appropriate legislative vehicle.

She said in her response:

“The Planning and Infrastructure Bill concerns the planning system rather than the licensing system— I will come to further points on the intervention from the noble Lord, Lord Deben, in a moment—and it is unfortunately not the appropriate vehicle for the introduction of cumulative impact assessments for gambling premises licensing. Under the amendment from the noble Lord, Lord Foster, the cumulative impact assessment would be published by the licensing authority but be used during the planning process by the planning authority. I am concerned that his amendment would risk creating inconsistencies between the approaches of the local authority’s planning policies and the licensing authority’s statement of licensing principles. The Government’s view is that it is essential for the licensing authority to consider the cumulative impact assessment in the exercise of its licensing functions when considering whether to grant a premises licence, rather than at the planning stage. This is a planning Bill, not a licensing Bill.”

Baroness Taylor reiterated the Government’s commitment, referencing its inclusion in the recently published Pride in Place Strategy. 

She warned that the proposed amendment could “risk creating inconsistencies between the approaches of the local authority’s planning policies and the licensing authority’s statement of licensing principles,” and stressed that CIAs should be considered “in the exercise of [the licensing authority’s] licensing functions when considering whether to grant a premises licence, rather than at the planning stage.”

While the amendment was ultimately withdrawn, Baroness Taylor offered reassurance that the Government is actively working to bring forward legislation where gambling licensing reforms—including CIAs—will be in scope.