Residents kill casino plan with final throw of dice

Campaigners are celebrating victory after plans to build a casino at Earls Court Exhibition Centre were thrown out for a second time.

Residents have fought a long battle against the £20 million development which was expected to attract more than 750 customers a night and stay open until 7am.

Teacher Cathy Burnaby-Atkins said: "This is fantastic news. It is a real weight off my mind that it has finally been rejected once and for all. It shows that people power has worked.

"It would have been so detrimental. I am delighted that it has been rejected."

The Earls Court and Olympia Group wanted to build a huge extension to the Earls Court Exhibition Centre to house the casino.

Planning inspector Roger Brown threw out the developer's appeal, saying there was no need for a casino and it would disrupt life for local people.

In his report, Mr Brownwarned that traffic caused by the casino could have caused "unacceptable noise and disturbance for neighbours".

The Government has also refused to overrule Kensington & Chelsea council's previous decision in 2006 to reject the scheme on the grounds of its size and the potential noise that it would have generated.