John Battle MP’s Casino Question

John Battle, Labour MP for Leeds West, has asked John Prescott whether Councils have the tools for the job to deal with planning applications for new casinos.

“The Gambling Bill has highlighted problems with the planning system – local Councils know that if they reject planning applications from big companies the company is very likely to overturn it on appeal,” said Mr Battle. “That means expensive legal costs for the Council.”

“I have asked the Deputy Prime Minister how many casinos and amusement arcades have won planning appeals and gone ahead despite local authorities’ objections. His reply will be a crucial point in the debate over part of the Gambling Bill – if it’s up to local Councils to decide whether or not a major new casino would benefit local people, do they actually have the power to make that decision stick?”

“I was involved supporting a group of local residents opposing a fruit machine arcade in Bramley recently, and the owners were able to use the planning system to overrule objections and get the arcade. If that can happen with a small local arcade, it could be still more difficult to stop a major casino even if local people and the local Council were against it.”

©John Battle MP 4th November 2004