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Leeds enters stakes for the super casino
But bid sparks furious row with Wakefield
By Paul Robinson
LEEDS has officially entered the race to land the country's first super casino – and the multi-million pound regeneration jackpot that would come with it.
But the city's bid to be the home of the massive Las Vegas-style attraction has sparked a furious political row with neighbouring Wakefield, it emerged today. Civic chiefs there claim their counterparts in Leeds agreed not to make a play for the casino at top-level talks earlier this year.
It is alleged Leeds City Council's representative at the meeting indicated he would be happy for Wakefield to have a clear run at bringing the gaming complex to West Yorkshire.
Two weeks ago, however, Wakefield Council leader Peter Box received a letter from his opposite number in Leeds, Andrew Carter.
In it, Coun Carter revealed his city was now planning to bid for the casino, which will be the only one of its kind allowed under the terms of the Government's Gambling Act 2005.
Experts say it would create thousands of jobs and attract up to three million visitors a year, giving a major boost to the local economy.
Coun Box today expressed his "regret" at Leeds's stance.
He said: "I am extremely disappointed – this throws into doubt future co-operation between our two cities."
Today, though, a spokeswoman for Leeds City Council insisted it had NEVER formally said it would not be making a bid.
She also said the authority's decision to throw its hat into the ring had only been taken after careful consideration of the benefits the so-called "regional" casino would bring.
The YEP reported in January that Leeds and Wakefield were among nearly 50 towns and cities to have expressed an interest in providing a site for the proposed gaming centre.
They were all given until the end of March to lodge a formal application with the Government's Casino Advisory Panel. Wakefield councillors claim Leeds then committed itself to backing their scheme at a meeting of the Leeds City Region body – a loose partnership of local authorities across Yorkshire - which took place in Harrogate on February 20.
It is not yet clear where the complex would be based in Leeds if its subsequent decision to go it alone proves successful.
One possibility would be a seven-acre site behind the Revie Stand at Leeds United's Elland Road ground.
The council says its application has the support of "a number of businesses and developers."
Wakefield has already identified land next to Glasshoughton's Xscape leisure park as its preferred location for the casino. Both Leeds and Wakefield were today putting the finishing touches to their bids ahead of tomorrow's deadline.
paul.robinsons@ypn.co.uk
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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