Casino doubt is 'unfair' on city

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The leader of Swansea Council has said it is "unfair" that plans to build a casino in the city could be scrapped.

It follows a vote in the House of Lords rejecting UK government proposals for a super-casino in Manchester and a series of 16 smaller casinos across the UK.

Swansea Council leader Chris Holley said the Lords decision had "done us a huge disservice".

But Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has told the Cabinet that plans for the 17 new casinos are "very much alive".

She said on Wednesday she had prepared no "plan B" in case of defeat, and she would now "reflect" on the next step.

Peers rejected the plans by 123 votes to 120 on Wednesday, after the Commons had voted it through.

I think the benefits would far outweigh the deficiencies to Swansea Chris Holley, Swansea Council leader

Mr Holley said people in the city would be left confused.

"It seems that because they are scrapping one plan all the others have to fail, and that's wrong," he said.

"The decision about the super-casino should have been separate.

"The culture secretary needs to re-examine the case and come forward with an alternative as soon as possible.

"I think the benefits would far outweigh the deficiencies to Swansea."

'Lasting employment'

The UK Government had announced in January that Manchester would be the site for Britain's only Las Vegas-style super casino.

Permission was also given for eight large casinos, and eight smaller casinos - one of which would be located in Swansea.

Steve Penny, president of the West Wales Chamber of Commerce, said the Lords rejection of the plans would inevitably delay development of the Swansea casino.

"I am led to believe that a lot of effort went into the city council's application for the new casino licence, believing that it would attract a first-class leisure destination that would generate lasting employment and potential for regeneration," he said.

"Whether the decision is reversed in the future remains to be seen, but in Swansea there are many other ongoing initiatives."