New Casino On The Way In Sunderland?

Consultants suggest gambling venue for Sunderland development

A building site next to Sunderland FC's Stadium of Light could soon house a major casino, it has emerged.

Planning officials from Sunderland city council are in the process of considering development ideas for the vacant Stadium Village area, which lies in the shadow of the Premier League team's current home.

According to the Sunderland Echo, consultancy firm Mott MacDonald has made several suggestions for the site, including the construction of a "large-scale regional casino".

Other ideas for the project, which will be overseen by regeneration body Sunderland arc, include an ice arena, four-star hotel and a climbing wall.

The new development will be situated next to the Sunderland Aquatic Centre, a £20 million project which opened in the north-east city in April this year.

Simon Elliot, property development manager at Sunderland arc, told the newspaper: "The football stadium and the Sunderland Aquatic Centre are already here and, together with our partners, we hope to build on these fantastic facilities."