Burnham to give councils more powers to block vape and betting shops

Vape shops in England and Wales to need planning permission while betting shop law change will also apply in Scotland Councils are to be given powers to stop betting and vape shops taking over their high streets under new plans announced by Andy Burnham. Local authorities will be able to reject new betting shops and adult gaming centres, while vape shops will be subject to planning permission under plans Downing Street said could be in place from the start of next year. Burnham is promising to scrap the “aim to permit” rule in the Gambling Act 2005, which in effect requires councils to allow new gambling premises where applications meet licensing requirements. This could mark a big shift from changes introduced by Keir Starmer in April that gave councils more scope to consider the number of gambling premises already in an area but stopped short of scrapping the “aim to permit rule”. As mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham called on Starmer to abolish the rule in January, alongside almost 300 other politicians and campaigners. Burnham said communities should have much more control over their high streets, where traditional shops, pubs and other services have disappeared while vape a