A controversial 24-hour adult gaming centre in Whitby has been granted permission to install illuminated signage despite concerns about the impact on residents and the town’s dark skies.

The adult gaming centre will be allowed to install a halo-illuminated fascia sign and an externally illuminated hanging sign at the former Halifax branch on Baxtergate after revised plans by Luxury Leisure, which trades as Admiral, were approved by North Yorkshire Council.

The site can be converted into an adult gaming centre after a Government planning inspector overturned a previous refusal of the wider change-of-use application.

The approved scheme is a revised version of proposals that were rejected by the council earlier this year.

Luxury Leisure's updated plan for elevations at adult gaming centre on Baxtergate, Whitby. Courtesy of applicant.

placeholder image — Luxury Leisure's updated plan for elevations at adult gaming centre on Baxtergate, Whitby. Courtesy of applicant.

Whitby Civic Society had previously objected to the application, arguing that illuminated signage operating on a 24-hour basis would be harmful to residents and could affect Whitby’s dark skies.

In its objection, the society said the lighting “would constitute a disamenity for residents and would negatively affect the dark skies opportunities for planetary observation currently found in Whitby”.

The group also suggested that, if approved, the lighting should be switched off at midnight.

However, officers concluded that such a restriction was unnecessary.

The former Halifax branch on Baxtergate. photo: Emma Atkins

Planners found that changes made since the previous refusal, including reducing the amount of illuminated signage and using warm white LED halo lighting, addressed earlier concerns about the impact on the character of the area and neighbouring residents.

The report stated that the revised design was “much more subtle” than the previously refused scheme and was “in keeping with the other late-night uses on Baxtergate”.

In comments to planners, the council’s environmental protection manager said a document submitted as a “lighting assessment” was “not a true lighting assessment”.

He said a formal assessment of light spill and illumination levels “does not appear to have been carried out”.

However, the officer added: “Despite the lack of such an assessment, I do not intend to object based on the information (including lighting design) submitted by the applicant.”

Planning officers ultimately concluded that the revised scheme would not cause unacceptable harm to residential amenity or to the character and appearance of Whitby’s conservation area.