THE sound of tokens clinking on metal won't be getting any louder thanks to a decision by the area's planning chiefs to reject two new amusement arcades in Lancaster and Morecambe.

Two separate developers applied for permission to create the slot-machine havens. One inside the former Halfords shop on Cheapside in the heart of Lancaster and another in an empty unit close to the Morecambe Superbowl on the promenade.

Gateshead company the Noble Organisation, behind the proposed Lancaster arcade, and Barnfield Construction asked for approval of their plans from the area's planning bosses.

But councillors at this week's Lancaster City Council planning committee meeting voted against the developers even though both buildings are still standing empty.

Planning chairman Cllr Eileen Blamire, speaking about the Lancaster arcade, said: "This is almost a test case and something which if we allow we will have real problems with as others apply for similar permission.

"This site is very close to the shopping centre of the city and something which I feel we should be showing our disapproval of."

And the Morecambe plans from Barnfield Construction were also snubbed. Cllr Jean Yates added: "If this place had been empty for three years I could understand this but we haven't even seen the market open or trading in this area yet. I feel this is totally unacceptable."

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