Permission to Expand Minehead Arcade Granted in Error

Somerset Council recently found itself in an awkward position after inadvertently granting planning permission to expand Minehead’s seafront arcade, The Arkade. Located on Warren Road near the town’s heritage railway station, The Arkade is known for housing one of the UK’s largest pay-to-play collections of classic pinball machines, drawing visitors and gaming enthusiasts alike.

The owner, Marcus Kravis—a serving Liberal Democrat councillor for Dunster—and his partner Cara Strom submitted an application in March to demolish disused public toilets adjacent to the arcade, regarded formerly as “the second most hated building in Minehead.” The aim was to use the space to expand the arcade and improve storage facilities.

While planning officers approved the proposal in December, citing compliance with local policies and potential economic benefits, the decision breached council rules. Somerset Council’s constitution mandates that planning applications involving councillors or officers must be reviewed publicly by the planning committee to maintain transparency and avoid conflicts of interest.

This procedural misstep rendered the approval vulnerable to legal challenge. Planning officer Gemma Webster stated that the permission was mistakenly granted under delegated powers rather than committee review, a decision that could be overturned through judicial review—a costly and time-consuming process.

Mr Kravis promptly highlighted the error, clarifying that neither he nor his agent was responsible for the oversight. To rectify the situation and prevent legal complications, he has resubmitted the application, which will undergo fresh local consultation before being formally considered by the planning committee west in early 2026.

The proposals include leveling the floor of the former ladies’ toilets to expand arcade space and repurposing the men’s toilets for storage. The scheme has not faced objections from Minehead Town Council or the Environment Agency, both of whom will be consulted again.

This development not only corrects the council’s earlier procedural lapse but also underscores the importance of strict adherence to governance protocols in planning decisions involving elected officials.