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Super-casino axe is 'confirmed' Super-casino axe is 'confirmed'
(30 minutes later)
Plans for a giant super-casino in Manchester have been scrapped but ministers will go ahead with proposals for 16 large regional casinos.Plans for a giant super-casino in Manchester have been scrapped but ministers will go ahead with proposals for 16 large regional casinos.
The BBC has learned that the decision is to be announced in a statement to the Commons after the half-term recess.The BBC has learned that the decision is to be announced in a statement to the Commons after the half-term recess.
Gordon Brown ordered a review of the plans shortly after becoming PM, and a rethink has been confirmed in a letter to Scottish and Welsh executives.Gordon Brown ordered a review of the plans shortly after becoming PM, and a rethink has been confirmed in a letter to Scottish and Welsh executives.
Manchester City Council says it will "not comment on a leak".Manchester City Council says it will "not comment on a leak".
However, its officials have warned in the past they would legally challenge any u-turn.However, its officials have warned in the past they would legally challenge any u-turn.
Concern
The city was a surprise winner when it was chosen as the location of Britain's first Las Vegas-style super-casino.The city was a surprise winner when it was chosen as the location of Britain's first Las Vegas-style super-casino.
LARGE CASINOS Great YarmouthHullLeedsMiddlesbroughMilton KeynesNewhamSolihullSouthampton Q&A: What is a super-casino?
It was named the preferred site in January 2007 at the expense of Blackpool, whose supporters said it would benefit more.It was named the preferred site in January 2007 at the expense of Blackpool, whose supporters said it would benefit more.
There's going to be some bitter disappointment in Manchester where campaigners had hoped this would bring thousands of jobs to the area Carole WalkerBBC political correspondent
But in March that year, peers rejected the plan by just three votes, after MPs had backed it by a majority of 24.But in March that year, peers rejected the plan by just three votes, after MPs had backed it by a majority of 24.
The scheme was then put in doubt when Gordon Brown asked Communities Secretary Hazel Blears to carry out a review into other ways to regenerate Manchester.The scheme was then put in doubt when Gordon Brown asked Communities Secretary Hazel Blears to carry out a review into other ways to regenerate Manchester.
That prompted concern from senior officials in the city who claimed the team behind the review had not even visited the proposed site of the super-casino in Beswick.That prompted concern from senior officials in the city who claimed the team behind the review had not even visited the proposed site of the super-casino in Beswick.
SMALL CASINOS Bath and North East SomersetDumfries and GallowayEast Lindsey LutonScarboroughSwanseaTorbayWolverhampton
The policy had been backed by former prime minister Tony Blair, who said in May that he thought both Manchester and Blackpool should get super-casinos, if there was sufficient investment.The policy had been backed by former prime minister Tony Blair, who said in May that he thought both Manchester and Blackpool should get super-casinos, if there was sufficient investment.
Opposing views
However, the decision to take the super-casino away from Manchester will effectively be seen as Mr Brown tearing up Mr Blair's plans.However, the decision to take the super-casino away from Manchester will effectively be seen as Mr Brown tearing up Mr Blair's plans.
LARGE CASINOS Great YarmouthHullLeedsMiddlesbroughMilton KeynesNewhamSolihullSouthampton Q&A: What is a super-casino?
BBC political correspondent Carole Walker said: "Tony Blair was very keen on the idea of a super-casino to regenerate run down areas.
"Gordon Brown made it plain when he took over as prime minister he didn't share that view.
"I think there's going to be some bitter disappointment in Manchester where campaigners had hoped this would bring thousands of jobs to the area and regenerate a rundown part of the city."
SMALL CASINOS Bath and North East SomersetDumfries and GallowayEast Lindsey LutonScarboroughSwanseaTorbayWolverhampton
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport insists there is still no decision on the super-casino at this time.
"There is a statutory requirement for the secretary of state to consult Scottish and Welsh ministers before making a decision how to proceed," a spokesman said.
"No final decision will be taken until ministers have had the opportunity to consider the views of Scottish and Welsh ministers."
But Don Foster, the Lib Dems culture spokesman, said this showed the government's casino policy was "in disarray".
"Both opposition parties had concerns about the super-casino, but were happy to see the eight small and large casinos go ahead," he said.
"Why did it take such a delay and a further review for the government to concede we were right?"
Last year, the then culture secretary James Purnell asked the 16 councils awarded licences for new larger casinos whether they had since had a "change of heart".Last year, the then culture secretary James Purnell asked the 16 councils awarded licences for new larger casinos whether they had since had a "change of heart".
He wrote to them to confirm the councils' "continued desire" for a casino. He wrote to them to confirm the councils' "continued desire" for a casino after several local authorities changed control in May's local elections.