Plans for £24m Merry Hill complex

Plans for a £24 million leisure complex incorporating a new cinema and casino at the Black Country's Merry Hill shopping centre are in the pipeline.

A Dudley Council document dubbed the Brierley Hill action plan - which outlines how £1.5 billion could be spent in transforming the town - says the Leisure Plateau could create 180 jobs in the town.

The new development would include up to 10 restaurants, a new and enlarged cinema, a casino, a bowling complex and a comedy club.

A family entertainment centre and an amphitheatre could also be included in the 125,000 sq ft development.

Outline planning permission for the Plateau was granted to Merry Hill owner Westfield in 2006. The Brierley Hill action plan states that the development of the complex remains "moderately viable" and is predicted to take place between now and 2016.

Councillor Les Jones, deputy council leader, said it is important to develop leisure facilities alongside the 3,000 new homes and 21,000 jobs the action plan will create if it is approved.

"I think leisure activities are becoming more crucial part of national culture as times change," he said.

"If we are building people homes, giving them somewhere to work and expanding retail developments it is important that we give them something to do at other times."

However he warned that some schemes outlined in the action plan may be put on hold by the economic climate.

The document will not be given the go-ahead until councillors vote at the end of 2011. No one from Westfield was available to comment.

By Laura Stuart-Cook