Casino Proposals Spark Holy Row

Three churches are joining forces to protest against a proposed Las Vegas-style super casino.

Dartford Council hopes to fight off competition from 26 other local authorities to build the UK's only super casino on land next to the Ebbsfleet station site in south-east London.

It applied to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to have its application considered by the Casino Advisory Panel four weeks ago.

But not all of the borough's residents are happy with the idea of a 5,000sq m building offering an unlimited number of gambling machines ending up on their doorsteps.

Church of England rural dean for Dartford the Rev David Kitley, Methodist superintendent minister for Kent Thameside the Rev Tim Crome and the Rev William Scanlan of the Roman Catholic Church are working together to fight the development.

Mr Crome, of Spittal Street Methodist Church, thought the different denominations would stand more of a chance to make the council listen if they banded together.

He said: "Gambling is not a helpful or productive activity and causes tremendous stress in domestic situations. It should be something all the churches in the area can get together and discuss and see how we can tell the council we're against it."

Father Scanlan, of St Anselm's Church, West Hill, Dartford, said: "It is morally unacceptable when these games become an enslavement. From personal experience of dealing with families facing this situation it can be an extremely difficult addiction to control."

Mr Kitley, who supports nine churches in his role of dean, said: "The churches are not in favour of this. If we are to be consulted over this it should be something we can all work together on to show the council we're not pleased."

The council has also submitted an application to have Dartford considered as a site for a large or small casino.

A final decision will be made by the Government in the next four months.

Council leader Councillor Jeremy Kite admitted he was yet to fully make up his mind about the ethics of the casino and said: "There are issues which need weighing up morally about this, including debt and crime. This is not something I can decide myself and I would like them to help me with it."

A public consultation would take place if the permission is granted and Cllr Kite added: "I invite the churches to come to me and discuss their concerns.

"If it turns out the borough does not want a casino then we will listen. This is a decision we will make together."