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| Casino plan was gamble that
failed |
‘Change of rules’ killed
off bid
A CASINO at the new Arsenal stadium development was a firm possibility
until the government stepped in, it was revealed this week.
Critics of the proposal, including Gamblers Anonymous, were concerned
about the possibility of a super-casino being built in Queensland
Road, Holloway, which is close to residential areas.
The death knell for the gaming complex plan came with the government
announcement that only one super-casino would be allowed in the
country.
The football club then pulled the plug on the idea.
Roger Hepher, a consultant for Arsenal FC, said on Tuesday that
a change in the Gambling Bill put paid to any plans for a super-casino
in Queensland Road, which borders the new stadium in Ashburton Grove.
Mr Hepher, director of planning and regeneration consultants Hepher
Dixon, made the candid admission following a corporate services
committee meeting at the Town Hall.
The committee gave planning permission for a new vehicle and pedestrian
access ramp at the new stadium.
Until now the football club has been cagey about whether a casino
was proposed for Queensland Road, but it is now clear executives
had firm plans.
The introduction of the Gambling Bill brought pressure for 40 super-casinos
to be set up nationwide. But public outcry over the number of proposed
casinos meant the number was cut to eight.
Now only one super-casino will be built in the UK.
Mr Hepher said: “A casino was toyed with but the government
changed the rules and that took us in a different direction.
“The casino was a possibility at one stage but it was only
ever one option.”
The new ramp was approved by the committee, chaired by Lib Dem councillor
Margot Dunn, even though the club began construction of a temporary
ramp without planning permission.
Liberal Democrat councillor George Allan pointed out that it would
be futile to serve an enforcement notice on Arsenal for the illegal
construction of the temporary ramp while at the same time granting
permission for a permanent one.
Permission for the ramp marks one of the final stages of approval
for the stadium development.
The stadium is due to be finished in spring next year. The development
in Queensland Road will then go ahead. It will include four tower
blocks of 11 to 14 storeys, with 175 homes, plus shops, offices
and leisure facilities.
Club executives are now in the final stages of negotiating with
owners of industrial units after a final bid to stop the club buying
up the site was quashed by the High Court in January.
Mr Hepher told the meeting: “A lot of work is now being done
to make sure the Queensland Road development can take place as soon
as it can be arranged.
“It is physically not feasible to make any progress on Queensland
Road until the development is completed in spring next year and
then everyone can focus hard on Queensland Road.” |
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