§ Lord Oakeshottof Seagrove Bay asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Statement by the Lord Rooker on 21 June (WS 42), whether the other leisure uses under the Dome roof include a casino; if so, of what size; whether plans for the outer rim of the Dome, currently known as the Dome waterfront, include the construction of a casino; and, if so, of what size. [HL4874]
§ Lord RookerThe planning permission that was secured in February 2004, in respect of the Dome does 171WA not explicitly include a casino. The permission does allow for the creation of up to 62,000 sq m of development outside the proposed new arena and within the Dome, including space for retail, food and drink, exhibition space, conference centre, shows and complementary uses, and up to 33,220 sq m for assembly, leisure, sports, entertainment and other D2 uses.
The class D2 element of the permission includes space that could in principle be used for a casino under the provisions of the current use classes order (UCO). However, the Government have recently announced that they are minded to change the UCO, to remove casinos from class D2, subject to the outcome of a review and consultation, so planning permission for a change of use may be required for any casino proposal. In addition such a use would be subject to a change in gambling legislation and the granting of appropriate licences.