Committee to get Wembley casino plans (From Harrow Times)

Committee to get Wembley casino plans

4:20pm Wednesday 29th March 2006

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CONTROVERSIAL proposals to build a super-casino in Wembley are set to be submitted to a government-appointed committee on March 31.

Brent Council will submit their case to build a regional hub casino, the biggest gambling centre in the country, to the Independent Casino Advisory Panel. Under the new Gambling Act, there is provision for one supersized "regional" casino as well as eight of medium size and eight small ones nationally, and the council are keen to stake a claim for this centrepiece.

After commissioning a study on the social and economic impact of the casino, both Labour and Conservative groups have given their backing to the idea. No developer has yet been approached about the project, although Quintain Estates, who have led the regeneration of Wembley Arena, are thought to be in pole position should the panel give their approval.

A council spokeswoman said: "Brent Council is supportive of a regional casino development in Wembley because of the many additional facilities and benefits that such a scheme could bring to the borough, which still has unemployment levels above the national average. Large scale international conferencing and convention facilities would open up Wembley to new markets in business tourism, and considerable value could be added to the casino offer with new luxury hotels, restaurants, shops and bars, all of which would generate new jobs, new visitors and new facilities for Brent."

With an area of 5000 square metres, the regional casino will be permitted up to 1250 unlimited jackpot games machines. Members of the five-strong Casino Advisory Panel, who include experts in planning, business and commercial gaming, will investigate all proposals received and report to ministers in December.

But Liberal Democrats on Brent Council have opposed the casino, with nine out of their ten councillors signing a requisition asking for the plan to be scrapped.

Councillor Paul Lorber said: "Despite Labour's grand plans, there is no evidence that residents want a casino. Residents at Wembley's Area Forum were vocal in their opposition to it, and a social impact study has shown the likelihood of increased debt and violence. Wembley residents have been very clear that they want these plans ditched, because of the massive negative effect on the area."

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