Firm wants more time to buildcasino over long wait for licence

DEVELOPERS behind plans to build a landmark 100m casino and leisure development on the site of a disused flour mill could be given more time to deliver the project, because a council has still not decided the terms of the licence it needs to operate.

Manor Mill Development was given planning permission two years ago to build a 100m leisure development at Clarence Mills on the east bank of the River Hull, but permission expires in December and Hull Council has yet to clarify the nature of the gaming licence for the casino.

The developers have applied for new planning permission to allow the scheme to be completed in five years, but council planning officers have recommended limiting this to three.

New planning regulations were introduced last year to extend the time limits for planning permission because of difficulties in delivering projects during the economic downturn.

A report going before Hull Council’s planning committee on Tuesday said: “More significant progress has not been able to be made as a result of the council’s programme for allocating the licence for the large casino under the 2005 Gambling Act.

“The council is now consulting with regard to the process for determining how it will consider applications for the casino licence.”

It added: “The licence application process fully acknowledges the key economic driver that a casino will be.

“Progress on the application has therefore been dependent upon progress by the council on the licensing issue.

“The applicant has tried to prompt progress on the casino licence application procedure.”

The mixed use scheme would see the construction of Hull’s tallest building as part of a 23-storey development that would include:

n A 53,000 sq ft casino;

n 246 residential flats;

n A 185-room four-star hotel;

n 143 student houses with a student bar;

n Restaurants, cafes and a convenience store;

n Parking for 305 cars.

The site was operated by Rank Hovis until 2005 but is now derelict and has been targeted by vandals and thieves.

The mill buildings include the receiving house, silos, the mill, a filling and packing factory, workshop, offices and an amenity building.

Part of the silo building dates back to 1890 but most of the rest of the buildings were constructed in the 1950s.

The plans drew criticism because of the proposed design of some of the buildings when they were initially approved by the committee in November 2008.

English Heritage has maintained since 2007 that the proposal “would harm the historic integrity” of the city centre.

One letter of objection has also been submitted about the new application, which says the building should be reclaimed for its original purpose, and claims the location is too far from the city centre to reinvigorate it.

The city has seen a number of major development schemes fall by the wayside as a result of the faltering economy.

The so-called “boom” in development fell victim to the credit crunch, which was also blamed for the failure to attract bidders to redevelop the historic former Fruit Market in Humber Street.

Many of the old warehouses in the area remain empty, although it is now hoped Humber Street will become an artists’ quarter.

Construction is at an advanced stage, however, on a 7.5m footbridge across the river based on a concept by award-winning architects McDowell and Benedetti.

The structure will offer pedestrians the chance to “ride” on the bridge as it swings open to allow boats through.

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