Published: 24/04/2009 00:00 - Updated: 06/05/2009 10:09

Odds improve for city centre casino bid

By Rob Gibson

Planners have been given the all-clear to bid for a casino in the centre of Milton Keynes.

Developers from the Xscape centre successfully responded to objections at a special planning meeting last night (Thursday).

It means that the city centre is one step closer to having its own casino, with more than a hundred slot machines and prizes of up to £4,000.

The votes were initially tied at four each way but Chairman of the Development Control Committee, Brian White, used his casting vote to grant outline planning permission for Xscape's project.

However, objectors have managed to place some restrictions on the plans for a casino, high rise hotel and shops next to the Xscape building.

Original plans for the hotel to be 61 metres tall, towering above the Xscape and Theatre buildings, were rejected and the planners have reduced the height to a maximum of 49.5 metres.



They were also forced to improve car parking to include an additional 147 spaces compared to the original blueprint for Avebury Boulevard.

Xscape Milton Keynes Limited is now set to enter a bidding war for the city's first casino but is expected to face stiff competition from other developers who are making plans for other areas, including the Denbigh stadium site.

If a bid for a casino in the city centre is successful, Xscape will still need to convince councillors to grant detailed planning permission.

Full a full report read MK NEWS on Wednesday, April 29.