Arena Leisure has submitted plans for a £23m revamp of Wolverhampton Racecourse.

The plans, designed by architects Alan Cotterell, include an expansion of the racecourse’s existing hotel from 54 to 170 bedrooms, a new conference centre and an exhibition and banqueting suite.

However, the concept also includes a casino – Wolverhampton was among the locations recommended by the Casino Advisory Panel to receive a ‘small’ casino – on which the success of the plans reportedly depend.

If the city council doesn’t pick the racecourse as its location for the casino, the redevelopment plans will not go ahead in their current form.

A previous application was turned down in 2005, partially due to its potential impact on the Green Belt, and the design has been changed in order to address this.

Mark Elliott, chief executive of Arena Leisure, said: “We are delighted that this planning application has been submitted. The proposed expansion of facilities will play a crucial role in securing the long term future of Wolverhampton Racecourse.”