Flagship casino in pipeline

Europe's first 'racino' will move a major step forward within days in Wolverhampton when the delayed plans are finally submitted to the city council.

The flagship masterplan for a casino, health club and bigger hotel at Dunstall Park racecourse is ready to go before Wolverhampton City Council and is expected to arrive any day.

The £20 million-plus scheme for the giant casino and an extended Holiday Inn, to include triple its current 52 rooms and a health club, would see more than 200 jobs created.They have been in the pipeline for a number of years and were due to reach the city council by the end of November, but a racecourse spokeswoman said they were hit by "unavoidable delays".

A previous planning application was turned down after a Government inspector said the venue was in greenbelt land. But owners of Dunstall Park have warned it could close, with the loss of hundreds of jobs, if planning permission is not granted for the racino.

David Roberts, managing director of Dunstall Park, said: "Plans are pretty much ready to be submitted any day now. We are hoping we have got everything in the right order and are just looking for the final sign-off from our chief executive."