Gloucester City release update on Stadium plans

[FF News]

Vanarama National League South club Gloucester City have release a statement on their website updating supporters on the progress with their new ground.

It read in full:

"Gloucester City Football Club would like to offer a further update on our ground project following what has been an extremely frustrating few months as we move towards full planning permission.

The club has suffered a significant multi-week delay regarding a technical issue with the application. Although this is now fully resolved the club has been very surprised and frustrated at the time it has taken to resolve an effectively technical issue.

In addition, it is with regret that the club have to announce that the decision to push forward with a limited two-phase application in order to give us the chance to get back for next season is not going to be possible.

This is because the planning department have required that the full scheme be put forward for approval, or the planning process potentially restarted from the beginning.

In light of this the clubs owners have been left with little choice than to shelve the two-phase plans and build the whole stadium in one go.

This makes a return to Gloucester for the 2016-17 season all-but impossible, but will mean that when the club returns it will be to a sensational, completed, stadium fit for a City of the size and calibre of Gloucester.

All associated with the project are very frustrated by these delays in replacing the stadium that already sits on the site. But the resolve to return remains and all concerned are determined to press on.

To that end the club has appointed a national funding company, LK2 Ltd, to progress with the funding applications, and this work will be led by one of their directors, Murray Fishlock, who is a former player for The Tigers, before a career that has included a senior position with one of the major funding bodies, The Football Foundation.

Chairman Mike Dunstan said “We recognise that people will be disappointed and worried by this but we have to stay positive and drive forward in the changed circumstances, the City needs its football club back and the football club needs to be back in the City.”

Dunstan continues, saying “We talk regularly with the council political leaders and would ask them to re-galvanise support for their football clubs return.”

In response Paul James, Leader of Gloucester City Council commented “Bringing the Football Club back home remains a priority for the Council and I have been meeting representatives from the Club, along with Planning Officers, on a regular basis to offer advice on the best way forward.

“I understand and share the Club’s frustration at the length of time the Tigers have been away from the city, but we must ensure we fulfil our duty as a planning authority, particularly in relation to sensitive issues like flooding. In this regard council officers are in regular contact with officials from the Environment Agency.”

Dunstan adds “We will obviously have to make plans for next season but we are in a position that we have options and also time on our side, so we will proceed with that in the coming weeks.

“Meanwhile we are still driving forward with the clubs development and have built a terrific squad for what is going to be an exciting season, kicking off with a fabulous tie against FC United of Manchester at Whaddon Road this coming Saturday.

“It would be fantastic if all those who care about the club but perhaps don’t make the journey to Cheltenham regularly could come across and show support for the club, but also show everyone in Gloucester what they are missing whilst we are away.“

Source: Gloucester City FC

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