It is well over two years since this newspaper first highlighted concerns about the proliferation of bookies opening on High Streets around the district, but particularly in Bradford.

At the time the Local Government Association said they were planning to demand action on the issue, particularly with regard to concerns that local authorities’ hands were tied by planning law, to the extent that even if they rejected plans, it seemed they would be overturned on appeal.

It has taken a long time, but, better late than never, the LGA today plans to set out its proposals to tackle the issue of clusters of bookies taking over town and city centres.

These betting shops are blighting our town and city centres, and it seems incredible that councils cannot currently refuse them simply because there are too many.

What the LGA is proposing would allow authorities to take into account ‘cumulative impact’ of any new betting shop, including effect on the local economy, and the social impact the new arrival might have.

Many will be surprised to learn that these factors currently can’t be taken into account, and it is surely time this was changed.

Bookies have their place, but the saturation of our High Streets by clusters of them is having a very damaging effect.