All casino bets off, say villagers

Feb 23 2006 Lennox Herald

ALL bets could be off for a proposed casino in Bowling after residents voted overwhelmingly against the plans.

A site in the village has been identified as a potential location for the UK’s first regional resort casino.

But many who live there fear a massive entertainment complex would spoil the character of the village and create noise and safety issues.

Now Bowling and Milton Community Council, which organised a survey to gauge public opinion, has pledged to oppose any proposals to develop a casino on the former Esso site.

In response to the questionnaire, 32 per cent of Bowling residents took part, with a massive 66 per cent against the plans, 30 per cent in favour and four per cent abstaining.

The result is a blow for those campaigning for the casino locally, including Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire and West Dunbartonshire Council.

In recent weeks, the council has been hosting a consultation exercise involving focus groups, churches and the business sector, together with a survey of 1000 people, to support its push to secure a place in the next stage of the bidding exercise.

And it comes amidst claims by the community council that the consultation process is invalid as it does not comply with current planning guidelines on community representation.

Harrahs Entertainment, the largest casino owners in America, are known to be interested in the Esso location for the project which would incorporate leisure facilities, accommodation, bars and restaurants, and create 2,000 jobs.

But the firm is known to take on board local opinion before proceeding with any of its developments in the States, which could mean it ruling out the Bowling site.

Community councillor Jim Thomson told The Lennox: “We are pleased with the response rate, which is actually higher than the average turnout at by-elections. With this evidence we will now be representing the majority’s opposition to the proposal for a casino on the Esso site.

“We are aware that Harrahs Entertainment, the largest casino owners in America, are interested in that site. In the US they have a strong commitment to listening to local opinion before proceeding with gaming developments and we hope they will continue this policy here in Scotland.

“We also hope that our democratically elected representatives on West Dunbartonshire Council will extend the same courtesy of accurately representing local opinion about this site.”

Mr Thomson revealed the community council had “serious concerns” about the consultation process. Concerns were raised when it became aware that two members of the Bowling focus group should not have participated as they live in Vale of Leven.

He said: “The community council does not consider the focus groups to have been representative, believes that briefing presentations by consultants contained factual inaccuracies and will be asking, through the community council forum, for full and unambiguous details of the way the survey questions have been compiled and how the survey itself is being conducted.”

Among concerns raised by villagers opposed to the survey were that the culture, ambience and ethos of the village would be put in jeopardy by the additional demands on services. Others fear a possible rise in crime and increased noise levels.

Some residents, however, believe it would be good for tourism and jobs, and would make use of derelict land.

A spokesman for West Dunbartonshire Council said: “We have engaged consultants to carry out wide community consultation including a programme of focus groups, 1,000 face-to- face interviews with the public and meetings with community councils.

“The public consultation will not be finished until the end of February.”

It will be the end of the year before any final decision is taken on the location of the regional casino, and additional smaller casinos, to be set up under the new 2005 Gambling Act.

West Dunbartonshire Council is one of 47 local authorities bidding to secure the project, which requires a minimum 60-acre waterfront site.

As well as the Esso site at Bowling, three other sites have been identified in West Dunbartonshire — the former Carless oil depot at Old Kilpatrick, Queen’s Quay at Clydebank and land behind the Strathclyde Homes Stadium.