KIRKLEES Council's casino plans could be thrown into chaos due to worries over gambling.

In one case, a council officer has asked not to brief colleagues and councillors on plans.

The Examiner has discovered that at least one senior officer is unhappy with the possible development of a new casino complex in the district.

The officer in question has asked not to brief colleagues on the plans for a large casino because of his reservations about the social impact of any development.

Kirklees has already submitted a formal expression of interest to the Government's Casino Advisory Panel.

The panel, made up of five experts, will decide which councils will be granted a licence to host new casinos.

Kirklees has expressed an interest in either a large or a small casino - shunning a super casino applied for by Leeds, Manchester and Wakefield.

The super casino would have 1,250 unlimited jackpot gaming machines.

Large casinos will have up to 150 machines, with top jackpots of £4,000.

Small casinos could have 80 £4,000 jackpot machines.

All of the sites would have more traditional casino games, such as dice, roulette and blackjack.

In documents seen by The Examiner, Kirklees bosses examine the pros and cons of siting any casino in the area.

In the negatives column they list, among other things, social cohesion, increased debt and poverty.

In the possible positives they say extra jobs, support services and regeneration could all be triggered by a new casino coming to town.

The Vicar of Huddersfield, the Rev Catherine Ogle, said the church would be cautious on the issue.

She added: "There may be a benefit to Huddersfield commercially, but there may be a loss from a social cohesion point of view.

"Who is going to benefit?

"I, like a lot of other Church people, would be concerned that the negative aspects would outweigh the positive."

Council bosses are now working to a deadline at the end of March to put forward a proposal to the CAP which will secure them a licence to operate a new casino.

The CAP will make a decision in the summer.