PLANS for an amusement arcade in Bordon have been put forward to try to stop residents seeking out leisure facilities elsewhere, The Herald has been told.

Mike Salczynski, who has submitted a planning application to change the former pet shop on Chalet Hill into an amusement arcade, has said that his plans will be of huge benefit to Bordon.

He said he intends to open an arcade with fruit machines and a range of games suitable for all the family.

However, his proposals drew fierce criticisms from Whitehill Town Council's planning and amenities committee on Monday.

The committee was united in its objection to the proposal, with Faith Thomas describing it as "awful".

Chris Wain, who was chairing the committee meeting, said: "I can't think that this is the right place for an amusement arcade."

Geraldine Wreford-Meeson said the plan was another example of someone trying to give Bordon exactly what it does not need.

"We are again being given the worst of the leisure facilities," she said.

Ms Wreford-Meeson was concerned that the arcade would result in Bordon's youth becoming addicted to gambling and would have no positive benefit for the town.

"This is something which leads to an addiction and just takes their money for no reason. The only reward for this is the gambling.

"I feel very strongly that Bordon should really have something like a skateboard park - something that people can really enjoy and something that is creative and industrious."

Town clerk Linda Tiley said that in the plans, under 16s would be barred from using the arcade during school hours. However, it would be open between 10 am and 9 pm seven days a week.

However Ian Dowdle was concerned that the age limit was not something that could be policed.

Linda Tiley said that, should the arcade be granted planning permission by East Hampshire District Council, it would go against the town council's policy of regenerating the Chalet Hill/High Street area.

"We are very, very short of retail space in Bordon and that change of use does not contribute to retailing."

Faith Thomas told the committee that the nearest arcade to Bordon was in Aldershot.

Ms Wreford-Meeson said: "Aldershot is quite close enough for me."

The council had received a letter from a resident of the nearby Somerset Avenue, pleading with councillors to object to the plans.

The letter urged the council to meet the residents to learn more about the problems that an amusement arcade would bring.

It stated: "We feel very strongly that this type of business is detrimental to the area, and of no help to regenerate the businesses of Chalet Hill."

The resident said that the arcade would result in young people "hanging about" and pointed out that it would be located on one of the main routes to Mill Chase Community School.

The committee agreed unanimously to object to the proposals and agreed to meet with residents to hear their concerns.

EHDC planner Ruth Harding, who is dealing with the application, told The Herald: "We have had quite a lot of letters of objection about this one - about 13 or 14 at the moment."

Despite the criticism, Mike Salczynski says that the arcade would be good news for Bordon.

"People are always travelling away from Bordon for facilities just like this and have to go to places like Portsmouth and Aldershot.

"The idea of this is that people will stay in Bordon, which will be good for the local area."

Mr Salczynski said that CCTV and staff at the arcade would ensure that the age limits are kept to and argued that the arcade would keep young people from causing trouble elsewhere in the town.

"Every day there is trouble down the Forest Centre because the kids have got nothing to do. They are drinking and taking drugs and getting into all sorts of activities, so the arcade will give them something lawful that they can do.

"It is not just the kids that this is aimed at. There is not an awful lot for the soldiers who are based here, so it will give them something to do, the mums something to do and keep everyone happy."

The applicant said that the front of the unit would be used to house the family arcade machines such as driving games, with a segregated area at the back for the over 18s.

Mr Salczynski said that he did know Whitehill Town Council was due to discuss the planning application and, as a result, was unable to answer any questions or concerns that they had.

"I did look at other places to open an arcade, but I spoke to East Hants council and they said that the only place that it would be suitable is Chalet Hill.

"Shops in the past have not helped to regenerate the area - it has a failed retail history," he said.

"That site has never been successful as a retail unit and that's a hard fact. The council never seem to do anything for the young people in Bordon and I think that a lot of this is down to a lack of communication between the district and the town council."

He said that while the plans have been the subject of some criticism, he has also received some support.

"I have a 16 year old son and he and his friends have said that this is just the sort of thing that they want. I have also had other people come up to me and offer their support and say that it is a good idea."

The application will go before EHDC's north planning sub-committee when it meets on October 18.