BORDON retailers are up in arms this week over the decision of the north planning committee to pass plans which would allow another betting shop to come to Bordon.

The decision has been branded "detrimental" to Bordon's development, taking up valuable space which could otherwise be used as a "proper shop".

The north planning committee met last Thursday and passed the application which changes the use of the shop from A1- a retail outlet - to A2, which has allowed it to become a Fred Done Bookmakers. The store in the Forest Centre, Pinehill Road used to be the shoe shop Keateck.

Four letters of objection were written to the committee expressing fear of the loss of retail space and an increas in anti-social behaviour. A petition signed by 32 people was also considered.

Whitehill councillor Zoya Faddy said: "It is not like losing a retail unit in Alton or Petersfield. It's detrimental. It is working against what we are all trying at achieve.

"I've spoken to a lot of people about it. ,They are not happy about it.

"There are no clothes shops except one for very small children. It's a prime location.

"Based on research people want more 'proper shops'. Out of 16 units in Forest Centre only nine will be high street shops.

"There are exciting new proposals to make the area more attractive. My argument is this is premature. I think it's a retrograde step and people will be cross.

"There is a reason for these categories- to get the mix right. It's contrary to everything we work for to make this a sustainable community."

Lindford councillor Mrs Parker-Smith commented in the meeting: "I think it's a pity the 32 people weren't encouraged to write letters."

"Had letters been written, the proposal would have been discussed in the meeting under section one not section two, and more people would have been able to speak.

The Bordon Care charity shop in the Forest Centre ran a petition against the arrival of the betting shop, which they predict was signed by more than 1,000 people.

Mrs Elsie Leatherby, a shop assistant in Bordon Care charity shop said: "What can you buy here? Nothing. It's no good. It's disgusting.

"I think it will not help the anti-social behaviour. How the council could allow them to come in, I don't know. It's the last thing we want down here."

Her co-worker Sally Sinclair added: "We don't want it. We need a proper shop."

Carl Tantum, secretary for the Forest Centre Association, said: "The Forest Centre Association represents all the tenants who would have wished for the shop to still be an A1 use, as this would be beneficial to the community. Bordon already has one betting shop."

Fred Done bookmakers are now due to arrive in Bordon in the next two months. It is a Manchester-based company with a £600 million turnover per year and 500 shops in the UK. It aims to have 800 premises by 2008. It already has premises in Haslemere, Aldershot, Basingstoke and Guildford, and plans to invest £100,000 into the new bookies in Bordon. Four new jobs will also be created.

The only people who seem unconcerned with the change are the competing bookmakers themselves.

Wayne Stevenson, development manager for Fred Done, said: "We always try and win the retailers round. We've a family run firm. "We think Coral serve a different area. We thought there was an area that wasn't being served.

"The only person who benefits is the customer. Coral will probably change the way that it trades and more concessions will be offered. It's the people who win in the end."

John MacDonald, 59, from Saville Crescent, Brodon, is a loyal Coral customer. He said: "If you won in one shop, you would stay there; if you lost, you would go back to the other one. I'll keep coming here."

"I don't think it would do any harm whatsoever, as there's plenty of business for both.

"I've got no qualms with Coral as it's one of the best betting shops around. The staff are very good."

David Stevens, a spokesman for Coral Bookmakers said: "We've got no great concerns. It's not close to our current premises.

"We like to think our service is second to none. More and more betting shops are appearing on the high streets and healthy competition can only be a good thing."