Casino plan rejected
TENTATIVE plans to create a casino in Chafford Hundred have been knocked-back by Thurrock Council.
Bannatynes Fitness hope to build a 15,000 square foot casino in their health centre, on Howard Road, and submitted an outline planning application to Thurrock Council to determine whether such a plan would be looked upon favourably.
But, at a planning committee, councillors overwhelmingly voted to reject the plans on the basis that a casino in Chafford Hundred would have a detrimental effect on local residents.
It was also agreed that any such development should only be built in established town centres or entertainment facilities such as Grays or Lakeside. Coun Tunde Ojitola said: "This sort of development would attract lots of people to Chafford because it would be looking to make a profit.
"With the current levels of anti-social behaviour in Chafford as a whole I would be minded to support the officers and recommend that we refuse this."
The plans could be revived if the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation, who are now responsible for all large scale planning applications in the borough, view the plans in a different light.
2005-11-27
