An amusement arcade looks set to open on the site of a former building society in Knaresborough.
The High Street gaming centre will be open to over-18s between 9am and 10pm.
North Yorkshire Council planning officer Sam Witham has recommended councillors approve the scheme when they meet next week — despite objections from Knaresborough Town Council and three residents.
They were concerned about noise, the impact on the High Street appearance and anti-social behaviour.
Carl Bearman, director of a company formed in January called Spectacular Bid, applied to change the use of vacant premises at 30 High Street.
The site, which is on the corner of Knaresborough High Street and Park Place in Knaresborough Conservation Area, was home to Yorkshire Building Society until March 2018.
Mr Whitham’s report to councillors says the location is within the primary shopping area of Knaresborough, complies with the Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35, which outlines where development can take place, and would not harm the character and appearance of the conservation area. It says:
“Subject to conditions, the proposal is acceptable with regards to its impact on neighbouring amenity, and in particular the impact of noise on the residential flats above the ground floor unit subject to this proposal.”
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The report adds:
“The proposed use would bring about the re-use of the property and it is not considered that the use would be incompatible with the town centre location.”
One of the conditions attached to approving the scheme is that machines must not to operate at more than 25% volume.
Councillors on the Liberal Democrat-controlled 13-person Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee will decide whether to accept the recommendation to approve the scheme when they meet on Tuesday next week.