NEWS CHANNEL
Published: 10/06/2009 00:00 -
Updated: 16/06/2009 14:21
Plans for a Las Vegas style casino in the city centre have been halted after calls for more detailed reports.
Developers from the Xscape centre were originally given the all-clear after successfully responding to objections at a special planning meeting but at a full council meeting last night (9/6) councillors voted that it should be reconsidered.
The planning application will now go back to the Development Control Committee, which will ask for more detail on matters such as parking, retail impact and the height of the hotel.
If permission is granted, Xscape Milton Keynes Limited will be one step closer to building a casino and hotel which could dominate the skyline, house more than a hundred slot machines and offer cash prizes of up to £4,000.
Cllr Catriona Morris, who called-in the decision, asked councillors to rescind the decision and said the committee had not been given enough information.
Ken Baker, architect and chairman of Central Milton Keynes Town Council, said: "This building is going to be the tallest building in Central Milton Keynes.
"This submission was made without an environmental impact assessment.
"It has been deemed acceptable without an environmental impact assessment.
"This is a building that needs to be considered a little bit more thoroughly."
Andrew Russell, on behalf of Xscape, argued that the committee was shown all the information required when it made the decision.
Twenty-four councillors back Cllr Morris's motion and the planning permission will now be delayed.
A bidding war is likely in future, with stiff competition from developers keen to use other areas including the Denbigh stadium site and the Leisure Plaza.
For a full report and reaction, read next Wednesday's MK NEWS, out June 17.
Developers from the Xscape centre were originally given the all-clear after successfully responding to objections at a special planning meeting but at a full council meeting last night (9/6) councillors voted that it should be reconsidered.
The planning application will now go back to the Development Control Committee, which will ask for more detail on matters such as parking, retail impact and the height of the hotel.
If permission is granted, Xscape Milton Keynes Limited will be one step closer to building a casino and hotel which could dominate the skyline, house more than a hundred slot machines and offer cash prizes of up to £4,000.
Cllr Catriona Morris, who called-in the decision, asked councillors to rescind the decision and said the committee had not been given enough information.
Ken Baker, architect and chairman of Central Milton Keynes Town Council, said: "This building is going to be the tallest building in Central Milton Keynes.
"This submission was made without an environmental impact assessment.
"It has been deemed acceptable without an environmental impact assessment.
"This is a building that needs to be considered a little bit more thoroughly."
Andrew Russell, on behalf of Xscape, argued that the committee was shown all the information required when it made the decision.
Twenty-four councillors back Cllr Morris's motion and the planning permission will now be delayed.
A bidding war is likely in future, with stiff competition from developers keen to use other areas including the Denbigh stadium site and the Leisure Plaza.
For a full report and reaction, read next Wednesday's MK NEWS, out June 17.
