Stadium plans passed subject to earlier payment phasing...

[Pubey]

Cheers guys, Appreciated by those will minimal Internet access at work

 

[Cricko]

Point 3.9 is exactly what I and others have been banging on about and is the most significant point for me:

3.9

If Members accept the Phasing arrangement as suggested by the applicant, they

should be aware that there is currently no absolute requirement for the applicant

to complete the West Stand, and that there is also an opportunity for the

applicant to avoid opening the last unit in the retail park to avoid paying the sum

due at that juncture. Thus they run the real risk that the actual total payment

could be significantly less than it appears (at £1.5m rather than £3.5m).

Exactly Lee, and my main concern to, but of course by then we will be out of RH and that is the development site they want.

 

[leeblue]

Point 3.9 is exactly what I and others have been banging on about and is the most significant point for me:

3.9

If Members accept the Phasing arrangement as suggested by the applicant, they

should be aware that there is currently no absolute requirement for the applicant

to complete the West Stand, and that there is also an opportunity for the

applicant to avoid opening the last unit in the retail park to avoid paying the sum

due at that juncture. Thus they run the real risk that the actual total payment

could be significantly less than it appears (at £1.5m rather than £3.5m).

was always the issue I could see being the problem, could the council insist on a guarantee being signed to cover the fears

 

[Smiffy]

was always the issue I could see being the problem, could the council insist on a guarantee being signed to cover the fears

Well something needs to be done as obviously they are well aware that the club and indeed the Council could get well and truly shafted here.

They are going on Ron's word and for me as a fan, I'm sorry but that is not enough. I want concrete security that this main stand will be built in a timescale that does not jeopardise our future.

 

[bluebrian]

Well something needs to be done as obviously they are well aware that the club and indeed the Council could get well and truly shafted here.

They are going on Ron's word and for me as a fan, I'm sorry but that is not enough. I want concrete security that this main stand will be built in a timescale that does not jeopardise our future.

He can't give that guarantee though can he. So its a risk the council will have to weigh up - chance it and approve and we might still be following SUFC in 5 years time. Or don't approve it and I am pretty sure we are done for. On a side note and as I said earlier in the thread even if it does get approved I think it has to be referred back to government for further approval. Now that might throw up a few more surprises yet....

 

[C C Csiders]

I cannot see how any right-minded Member of Southend UA can support this on that basis of "might happens".

 

[londonblue]

I think it points out that the staged payments idea will not be accepted as it stands if the council take their lead from that. IMO it should not be either, as Smiffy has pointed out they/we need some guarantee that we will get a 4th stand at least.

Although it also states:

3.8 Given that the payment is made so as to mitigate against the impact of the

development on the Town Centre it is not unreasonable to consider a phasing

arrangement. It is reasonable to expect some payment to be made prior to the

opening of the retail park in order to offset the impact of the development.

I suspect they might argue for a change in the phasing of the payments, and also some sort of guarantee to mitigate against not opening the last retail unit and building the main stand.

 

[E for B and Billy Best]

It certainly looks like the Council have had enough of the games and will force Ron to show his hand now. From reading that theres every chance the decision could go against us or be deferred to another day. Be very surprised if development gets the go ahead tomorrow.

 

[Smiffy]

I cannot see how any right-minded Member of Southend UA can support this on that basis of "might happens".

Agreed. We need concrete assurances...somehow.

 

[Chairman Trigg]

Would have thought the internet has more to do with the decline of the high street.Think if the vote goes against we are in for major problems with the future of the club as Ron sinks

 

[dloman]

Must admit if you looked it with a non biased head and were a voting member of the council with the whole towns interests at heart and not just the football club, you would more than likely vote against these proposals.

 

[Smiffy]

Would have thought the internet has more to do with the decline of the high street.Think if the vote goes against we are in for major problems with the future of the club as Ron sinks

Of course it has. Online sales will continue to impact negatively on High Streets and Retail Parks.

And in the report they also state that the proposed Retail Park at FF, will have a much greater impact on the High Street now, compared to when the plans were originally submitted. And the reduction and phasing of the Town Centre Regeneration Fee is hardly going to help with that.

Reading through that report again (with a non-fan hat on) and I am struggling to find many positive points for the councillors to pick up on.

I expect a deferal on that evidence. And if that is the case I agree with it. We deserve some sort of security that the project will be FULLY completed. If not, then what is the point of it in the first place?...we will die anyway.

 

[dloman]

Would have thought the internet has more to do with the decline of the high street.Think if the vote goes against we are in for major problems with the future of the club as Ron sinks

Very true but then surely the decrease in the S106 money is even more relevant than before.

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

It's just a ***** situation isn't it? Feel some sympathy for the Council tomorrow, on the one hand they can approve it with no guarantees that what has been promised will happen only to look like idiots if it goes tits up and have some angry residents on their hands OR reject it and effectively sign the death warrant of the town's football club which has just got Southend in the headlines (and have alot of angry supporters on their hands).

Can the council add more conditions in tomorrow to ensure the stadium is built and with a 4th side?

As for that 4th side, Ron does need a hotel chain to get involved, which with the new hotel at the airport & the Palace (Park Inn) back in use - and isn't there another one due to be built on the seafront? - looks tricky. However the recent success of Southend Airport could mean a major chain considers a hotel at Fossetts viable.

I think the timing of Sundays final could play into the club's hands on Wednesday.

 

[TTS]

Im not going to read anything too much into any of this, as too be perfectly honest no one on this forum knows the workings of the council, and if they do, I am fairly sure that some type of secrecy caveat must be adhered too. What I would say is, is this wise, as Southend fans to be giving our OWN negitive thoughts, therefore ASSISTING a decision against the new ground ....

Also, I would highlight that Southend High Street has been in decline for years. It hasnt been a nice place to shop for many years and suddengly the new ground is being used as the reason why this decline would continue ??? The same people, immiagrants etc, will continue to walk the High Street with or without the new ground.

Our Club is a "United" and yet we never appear to be so. It also seems to me that some people almost want the council to decline it, to give further ammunition for hatred against Ron, what is the point of this ????

 

[united we stand]

Re the phasing, If I was the council I would be less concerned about the 4[SUP]th[/SUP] stand and more concerned about the last retail unit opening.

The club (Ron) needs the 4[SUP]th[/SUP] stand , and Ron will expect to make a massive profit from it over time , so having to pay £1 million at this point is something that we will have to do . But the same logic does not hold true on ‘the last retail unit’ Surely you simply deliberately don’t see the smallest/cheapest unit which is never going to generate £1 million in income and thus avoid paying the council. If I were the council, I would maybe want the payment based on the main unit being leased

If I was the council I would want timings on the payments, with perhaps the right to take over FF stadium if the payments are not forthcoming. But having said that , they do not want a stadium , so I’m not sure how they can ‘force us’ to pay what we should be paying

3.9 If Members accept the Phasing arrangement as suggested by the applicant, they

should be aware that there is currently no absolute requirement for the applicant

to complete the West Stand, and that there is also an opportunity for the

applicant to avoid opening the last unit in the retail park to avoid paying the sum

due at that juncture. Thus they run the real risk that the actual total payment

could be significantly less than it appears (at £1.5 rather than £3.5m).

 

[Smiffy]

Im not going to read anything too much into any of this, as too be perfectly honest no one on this forum knows the workings of the council, and if they do, I am fairly sure that some type of secrecy caveat must be adhered too. What I would say is, is this wise, as Southend fans to be giving our OWN negitive thoughts, therefore ASSISTING a decision against the new ground ....

Also, I would highlight that Southend High Street has been in decline for years. It hasnt been a nice place to shop for many years and suddengly the new ground is being used as the reason why this decline would continue ??? The same people, immiagrants etc, will continue to walk the High Street with or without the new ground.

Our Club is a "United" and yet we never appear to be so. It also seems to me that some people almost want the council to decline it, to give further ammunition for hatred against Ron, what is the point of this ????

I don't think anyone WANTS the Council to decline the plans. More to seek assurances and more security for the future of our club.

We have naff all security as it stands at RH. What is the point in going to a new stadium (with more debt) and being in the same precarious state?

I want the new stadium very much, but I also want to know it will benefit us long term. Is that asking too much?....or should we just place blind faith in RM to deliver "promises" ??

I hope some security is given tomorrow and we can plough ahead with development.

 

[Cricko]

Im not going to read anything too much into any of this, as too be perfectly honest no one on this forum knows the workings of the council, and if they do, I am fairly sure that some type of secrecy caveat must be adhered too. What I would say is, is this wise, as Southend fans to be giving our OWN negitive thoughts, therefore ASSISTING a decision against the new ground ....

Also, I would highlight that Southend High Street has been in decline for years. It hasnt been a nice place to shop for many years and suddengly the new ground is being used as the reason why this decline would continue ??? The same people, immiagrants etc, will continue to walk the High Street with or without the new ground.

Our Club is a "United" and yet we never appear to be so. It also seems to me that some people almost want the council to decline it, to give further ammunition for hatred against Ron, what is the point of this ????

I want them to pass the plans with strict rules as to when we are guaranteed the 4th MAIN side is built..the retail aspect I think is a dead dog anyway.

 

[bluebrian]

If the council do not give the go-ahead on the grounds of the impact to the High Street I for one will feel miffed!! High Streets as we knew them will never return. Rents are stupidly high and people either want the convenience of shopping on line or being able to park in front of the shop. The council had no problems demolishing the swimming pool in town and have approved a new cinema in Seaway car park - both of which could be argued to be taking trade away from the High Street. I wonder if they listened to the Odeon's objections. Only 2 examples but I am sure there are more. I'm beginning to wonder if the council do not believe RM can finance this project and will use the impact argument as a way of stalling until further evidence can be produced by RM to show how it will all be financed.

 

[shrimperton]

This may be a stupid question, so please excuse if it is

Why cant we like many other clubs, just build a football stadium, forget the retail parks & hotel, just build a new stadium with 4 sides which will generate income from having new executive boxes & nice match day meal & entertainment areas & other things the club can put on, the income from retail units & hotel would be great, but, really thats gonna be Ron's income not SUFC's!

Other clubs seem to manage this, why cant we, we could do an MK Dons & seat it in stages as we climb through the leagues, lets face it we could build a new mini wembley & if we stay in league 2 its gonna be empty anyway...

The above may be ramblings of a mad man......