Nelson statue threatens Great Yarmouth casino proposal
Thursday 30th October 2008
A monument to Lord Nelson could scupper plans for a £35 million casino development in Great Yarmouth, it has emerged.
Planning officials in the Norfolk town were set to approve the proposal for The Edge complex this week, but have delayed their decision following the unexpected intervention of English Heritage.
According to the Eastern Daily Press, members of the historical preservation body feel that part of the development could encroach on the area around the statue.
Members of the borough council's development control committee will now conduct an appraisal of the site on November 27th, although chairman Charles Reynolds pointed out that the monument is situated about 250 metres away from the proposed casino location.
"I feel the distance from the hotel site to the monument makes [English Heritage's] concerns totally irrelevant, but it is important to pay due diligence to objections to avoid any public inquiry," he told the newspaper.
The casino proposal was submitted by Albert Jones, operator of Great Yarmouth's Pleasure Beach. He wants to build the complex in partnership with casino operator Aspers and development consultant Karen Hawes.