mrsblue
Banned
Just a few thoughts.
As a season card holder I am keen for the club to move to a bigger and better stadium, but can't help feel these plans are asking too much from Southend Council in terms of planning permission. Most clubs move stadiums by building the new stadium out of the proceeds of their old site in town to a greenfield site out of town. The planning permission for a new stadium is usually granted on the basis that it is supporting the community which can offset the loss of greenbelt. Most stadiums are lucky to get any further planning for shops, pubs, hotel etc. Here the plans include a huge cinema and retail complex, restaurants, hotel, soccer domes, accommodation and three huge tower blocks for retail units.
Of course British Land are interested in getting involved if this size of development is allowed as the financial gain for the planning permission is huge and runs into the tens of millions. Despite the massive profit from these plans and the redevelopment of RH there is still talk of only the first phase of the stadium being built.
I think Southend Council need to get tough and tell Ron that all the stadium has to be built all at once and that the ownership of the stadium should be given to Southend Council with the club being allowed to pay a peppercorn rent on a very long lease. Then they can be sure that SUFC will survive and prosper in a good sized modern stadium. With regard to the planning on FF and RH they just need to hammer out enough profit for Ron to make this happen.
This this this and this again,well said !
Most of us do not care if Ron makes squillions from the project,we only care if the stadium has 4 sides with the team having the luxury of being funded from all of those lovely extra revenue streams.