News - Midlands

Worcester City FC plans touted for go-ahead

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The fate of Worcester City Football Club's new stadium is set to be decided today when council officers vote on plans for the Nunnery Way site. Three years after selling its St George's Lane ground, the club is resting its hopes on the development – which includes the stadium, a hotel and 740-space car park– being given the thumbs-up.

Officers have recommended the multimillion-pound plans be given approval by Worcester City Council's planning committee when they are reviewed this afternoon (Thursday 5 January).

Located to the south-east of Worcester city centre, the site covers more than 20 acres. Plans were submitted by Birmingham-based developer St Modwen.

Proposals for the site include a 45,014 sq ft office development; a 21,000 sq ft hotel, a pub and restaurant and motorcycle and car showrooms.

The stadium would reach a maximum height of 11 metres with four 22.5 metre-high floodlights. It would have an initial capacity of about 3,220 with 200 seats, which could be increased to 6,000 including 556 seats over time.

Pedestrian access to the venue will also be created.

Almost 20 objections were received in regard to the scheme; one from Whittington Parish Council said the development was "unviable" for the Blue Square Bet North football club.

Officers compiling the planning report refer to the club having previously been at risk of administration, but concluded that this risk "appears to have diminished for the time being". Two years ago, the club itself expresed concern at the costs associated with moving into the new ground.

However, "reports now suggest that both Carey's and St Modwen, prospective developers of the existing ground and the new site respectively, are financially supporting WCFC," added the report.

In 2008, Worcester City FC sold its St Georges Lane ground to Carey's. The site has now been earmarked for a housing development, plans for which were approved in April 2010.

Letters of support for the scheme were also received on the grounds that it would "enhance the sporting heritage and prowess of Worcester and raise the profile of WCFC alongside the rugby club, cricket club, rowing club, canoeing club and basketball team" as well as creating employment opportunities in the area.

The officer's report concludes: "There a number of positive elements to the development which can be given significant weight in the assessment of this application and, on balance, they are considered sufficient to outweigh the negative environmental impacts of the development and the associated conflict with adopted policy requirements."

Councillors will vote on the development later today.

 
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