Waystone plans to develop a USD 351 million super casino complex

Family-run Waystone is expecting to submit a planning application for the project by the summer. But even if planners at Wakefield Metropolitan Borough Council agree the scheme, the final development will need approval from central Government which will license super casinos.

If given the go-ahead, the hotel and casino and the new stadium would be built at Glasshoughton, a 335-acre regeneration site. The site is already designated for leisure development and is home to Xscape, an indoor ski centre.

Up to 1,800 jobs could be created if permission is given for the development, a us$ 351 million investment for Waystone, which could attract four million visitors a year.

Waystone, which specialises in former coal site regeneration projects and was behind the us$ 263 million Barlborough Links project near Bolsover, close to the M1 near Chesterfield, employs 35 people at Swanwick, Bolsover and Wakefield. The firm’s head office is at Swanwick.

Stuart McLoughlin, managing director of Waystone, said: „It is envisaged that the stadium will have a capacity of 13,000, including 5,000 standing, an will play host to a number of community events like concerts, as well as being home for Castleford Tigers.

„The submission of the outline planning application will be a major step forward and we are confident that the will to secure a new stadium for Tigers is there.“

Richard Wright, the chief executive of Castleford Tigers, said: „We’ve been working on our new stadium project for quite some time and now have the crucial parts to the project in place, which are absolutely essential to our chances of success.

Stuart McLoughlin added: „Clearly the development would be given a huge boost if we were able to build a regional casino at Glasshoughton. It is the perfect location for a casino and ticks all the right boxes. Wakefield council has already registered its interest in securing a regional casino at Glasshoughton.

Waystone development director Helen McLoughlin, his daughter, said: „The hotel and casino would be the enabling development that would allow us to build the stadium.“