Residents fury over casino plan
An all-night £1.5 million casino was back on the cards in Bearwood, prompting a crisis meeting among furious residents.
Halesowen-based Blue Chip Casinos has submitted fresh plans to transform The Barleycorn pub, in Bearwood Road, into a 20-hour-a-day gambling centre.
The latest application, which will be heard by Sandwell Councils planning committee next month, has incensed many residents who have fought the scheme for the past two years.
In June last year the proposals went to a public planning inquiry which ruled in the residents favour, stating that the casino would cause intolerable noise problems.
However, undeterred by the ruling, Blue Chip has since tried several times to get the proposals past planners.
Jess Hogan, who lives in Marlborough Road, near The Barleycorn, said: "We cannot believe this is continuing when we have defeated these plans at a public inquiry.
"To our complete shock and horror Blue Chips casino plans are back, and more frustratingly officers are recommending it for approval."
The crisis meeting will be held on Friday at Thimblemill Baths at 6.30pm.
"We are objecting to the noise, parking and anti-social behaviour problems which an all-night casino will bring to this quiet residential area," she added.
"People need to email or write to the council planning committee with their letters of objection, and they should also phone the local MP and councillors to lobby them.
"If Blue Chip think we are going to just sit back and take this then they are wrong."
Ward councillor Bob Piper is backing the residents campaign, and is calling for a show of force to defeat the casino application.
"I can confirm that Blue ChipsÊodious application will be going before the planning committee on Wednesday, August 3," he said.
"Planning officers recommendations will be for acceptance. It is vitally important that we get a good turn-out to put pressure on the members of the committee."
2005-07-12
