Resort looks set to lose out on casino

06 April 2005 07:00

Hopes of creating a Las Vegas-style casino in Norfolk appeared scuppered last night after the Government was forced into a last-minute deal on its controversial Gambling Bill.

Culture secretary Tessa Jowell agreed there would only be one regional "super casino" instead of the eight previously planned and heavy hints were dropped that this would be at Blackpool rather than at Yarmouth.

The Government's concession comes after yesterday's General Election announcement forced 11th-hour horsetrading to approve legislation before the dissolution of parliament tomorrow.

Ms Jowell accepted the cut in a deal with her Conservative counterpart John Whittingdale. Mr Whittingdale said: "There are real fears about the impact casinos may have on crime and gambling addiction.

"We have therefore accepted the establishment of just one regional casino as a prototype, in order to assess its impact.

"Its location should be a leisure resort where the regeneration potential is greatest. The case for locating such a casino in Blackpool is very strong."

Only last month Yarmouth Borough Council agreed to bid for one of the licences and a 100,000sq ft development near the Pleasure Beach appeared to be the favourite option.

The amusement park, backed by the Hilton Grop and Henry Boot Developments, had already unveiled plans which would have meant a multi-million pound investment in infrastructure and created hundreds of jobs.

Barry Stone, the council's economic porfolio holder, described the news as 'extremely disappointing'.

Mr Stone added: "Our bid has been submitted and we hope it will be considered fairly and on merit alongside Blackpool but we have to accept Blackpool is a very strong contender.

"The impact on Yarmouth economy would have been massive. Not only would it have brought initial investment but it would have helped with the long-term regeneration of the town.

"It would have extended the holiday season and, along with the outer harbour project, would have attracted tourists from abroad."

The Bill does allow for the number of casinos to be reviewed at a future date and Mr Stone said: "We can now only hope to gain a licence if the Government does extend the Bill."

Albert Jones, managing director at the Pleasure Beach, said: "We will still go ahead with plans for a leisure development including a cinema and bowling alley.

"But the casino would have been the icing on the cake and would have been great for the whole of East Anglia.

"The development will allow for a casino to be added at a later date so we can only keep our fingers crossed for the future."



Yesterday's deal comes after the Government and the Opposition spent the day wrangling over how much legislation they can wave through the Commons before Parliament rises. It is estimated the Government could lose as much as half its legislative programme of 28 bills.

Key Bills at stake include:

ID CARDS BILL – The introduction of compulsory ID cards linked to a national database is expected to be killed off for the time being by opposition from the Tories and Lib Dems.

GAMBLING BILL – New regulations and new laws allowing super-casinos may be postponed or watered down.

SERIOUS AND ORGANISED CRIME BILL – Would establish a national police force but may be defeated due to proposals making a crime to commit or incite religious hatred.

CHILD BENEFIT BILL – Untroversial and unlikely to experience any problems – it would extend weekly payments to children aged 16 to 19 who are still at school or college.

DRUGS BILL – Introduces compulsory treatment for those who test positive for drugs. Unlikely to be passed before tomorrow.

CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM BILL – Introduces judicial reforms, including a supreme court. Depends on the Government accepting Lords' defeats over changing the Lord Chancellor's role.

NEIGHBOURHOODS AND ENVIRONMENT BILL – Still in its early stages and has not been subject to rigorous debate and scrutiny. However, the plans to gives council powers to tackle dog-fouling, graffiti, litter and abandoned cars could still be passed.

MERGER OF INLAND REVENUE AND CUSTOMS AND EXCISE – Is expected to be passed. Creates a single department and would save resources.

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