A Bury off-licence is allowed to retain its ATM after a decision by the Planning Inspectorate.

Cardtronics UK applied for permission to retain the cash machine at the shop on the corner of Wash Lane and Willow Street last year, around a year after its installation.

Bury Council refused the application for reasons including the impact on the prevention of crime, the risk to the safety of the public and the risk to the safety of the staff.

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Cardtronics UK appealed to the Planning Inspectorate in an attempt to avoid the need to remove the cash machine from the shop.

And the off-licence is allowed to retain its ATM after a decision by government inspector David English at the end of last month.

Mr English said considerations such as its position, the presence of an alarm, the presence of CCTV and 'natural surveillance' by passersby and residents meant the risks did not outweigh its usefulness.

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Mr English said: "I acknowledge the ATM could present a crime risk. However, the evidence presented by the council does not describe the incidence of anti-social, criminal or threatening activity associated with the ATM over the period it has been available for use. 

"I have not been provided with evidence to show that this area is particularly vulnerable to attacks on ATMs, or that the area has problems in respect of public safety associated with the use of ATMs. 

"In my judgement, when taken together, the security measures associated with the installation of the development, the presence of security cameras, and the widespread and multi-faceted natural surveillance present in this location reduce the vulnerability of the ATM and people using it, and they should act as a deterrent against potential criminal activity in the area.

"ATMs provide a valuable service to local communities and, overall, the measures I have noted should minimise, as far as is practicable, the fear of crime for users of the ATM."

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.