Last year the Noble Organisation was refused planning permission for a 3-storey gaming facility in Blackpool. The company has now launched an appeal and a public inquiry is to be held on 24 April. It is thought that the Council may have refused planning permission so as not to jeopardise Blackpool’s bid to host the super casino. Noble, which was opposed to competition from a super casino, owns Coral Island and Funland in Blackpool and the company has said that it has £6 million to invest in the project that could create 140 additional jobs.

The debate and vote in Parliament on the 17 locations selected by the Casino Advisory Panel for new casino licences under the Gambling Act 2005 have been set for Wednesday 28 March. Despite a campaign to hand Blackpool the super casino licence, supported by over 100 politicians and a petition organised by a local newspaper with over 10,000 signatures, the vote is expected to endorse the CAP choice of Manchester.

The government rejected calls last week for a separate debate on the super casino, and the politicians will have to vote in favour of all 17 licences or stop the licensing process in its tracks. If the CAP decision is ratified, then all companies wishing to apply to operate one of the venues must get approved by the Gambling Commission before they can submit proposals to the local authorities concerned. (E-03.20.07)

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