Plans to establish a new casino in a vacant Lancaster office building have been given the go-ahead by the city council.

Lancaster City Council's planning committee approved the proposals for the Riversway House site last month, with an 11-6 vote in favour of the scheme. The project, put forward by local developer Andrew Brakewell, will see two floors of the three-storey building converted into the new casino. The casino's management suite, catering and hospitality will be located on the ground floor, and the gaming room will be situated on the first floor.

A nearby school had objected to the plans on the grounds of concerns over the social impact of gambling. However, a planning report ruled that the school's concerns weren't a valid reason for objecting the plans, which will also see the second floor of the building retained as office space.