STFC STADIUM DEVELOPMENT

Swindon Borough Council's Position - 4 May 2004

Swindon Borough Council supports the concept of a community sports stadium and leisure facility in the borough. The Swindon Town Football Club and St. Modwen Properties Plc partnership has identified the Shaw Forest Park area as their preferred location for a stadium development.

At this very early stage the Council would like to reassure local people that it has not taken a formal position on the football club's proposals. The Council is aware of the issues that such a proposal raises like traffic access, impact on the environment and implications for the Community Forest. Before making any commitment to the partnership we will be looking very carefully at how the developers will seek to resolve these issues when they come forward with more detailed proposals.

It is important to remember that regardless of the fact that the Council owns the land identified, it has a statutory duty as the local planning authority to consider any proposed development. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which has the power to assume the role of decision maker in any planning application where issues are raised of more than local significance, protects the public's interests.

Swindon Borough Council remains committed to making public open spaces and outdoor amenities more accessible to local people. We also acknowledge the particular concerns of local people and the Council would like to stress that it will look at any proposals very carefully to see how developers will deal with all the issues.

Agreed by Leader of the Council, Mike Bawden; Director of Environment and Property, Celia Carrington; and in accordance with the views of the Labour Group and Liberal Democrats.




Swindon Borough Council's position statement

by Gavin Calthrop, Public Relations Officer

Swindon Borough Council supports the concept of a community sports stadium and leisure facility in the borough. The Swindon Town Football Club and St. Modwen Properties Plc partnership has identified the Old Shaw Tip area as their preferred location for a stadium development.

At this very early stage the Council would like to reassure local people that it is aware of the issues that such a proposal raises like traffic access, impact on the environment and implications for the Community Forest. Before making any commitment to the partnership we will be looking very carefully at how the developers will seek to resolve these issues when they come forward with more detailed proposals.

It is important to remember that regardless of the fact that the Council owns the land identified, it has a statutory duty as the local planning authority to consider any proposed development. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which has the power to assume the role of decision maker in any planning application where issues are raised of more than local significance, protects the public's interests.

Swindon Borough Council remains committed to making public open spaces and outdoor amenities more accessible to local people. We also acknowledge particular concerns, for example trees that may have been planted in remembrance. The Council would like to stress that it will look at any proposals very carefully to see how developers will deal with all the issues.'

Agreed by Leader of the Council, Mike Bawden, Director of Environment and Property, Celia Carrington and in accordance with the views of the Labour Group and Liberal Democrats.

To answer your questions a little more directly I will add that this is not a Council project. The football club and developers partnership has identified the piece of land they feel would suit their needs and are free to submit proposals and plans to that effect. We have a duty to consider these plans just like any others that are submitted. I can confirm that no plans have been submitted at this time. In terms of plans being in circulation for a while, you may be thinking of proposals a couple of years ago that the club had for building on the Southern Development Area. I cannot really comment on the clubs previous proposals and how they relate to their current situation.

I can assure you that whatever the impression given in the local media things are not at an advanced stage as far as the Council is concerned and we await any proposals that the football club puts forward. I can also assure you that all local people will be given the opportunity to discus any proposals and that the Council has a statutory duty to consult with the public on any plans that it receives.

I hope this clarifies the Council's position. We will be issuing news releases and publishing information in Swindon News if and when the football club choose to formally submit a proposal to us.

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