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Stadium plan to be heard in early October

Tony Howard
25/ 8/2005

AFTER months of negotiations a date has finally been given for the City of Salford Stadium to go before the council's planning committee.

The plans for the £130m development to be built in Barton will be considered in the first week of October, likely to be at the planning meeting on Thursday, October 6.

Salford Reds chairman John Wilkinson said he was 'delighted' at the second piece of good news in a week as the Reds had previously secured their position in the Super League for next season.

Salford council revealed the news after they received reports considering the impact the scheme will have on the environment and local transport and the economic and community benefits.

Mr Wilkinson said: "I am delighted we now have a date for the planning committee to consider the application and it is an important step towards the reality of the dream for the City of Salford Stadium.

"It has been a protracted planning application but what we have strived to achieve is as near as we can get to a perfect application.

"We have also strived to create an iconic stadium and to build a funding route that will enable Salford Reds to compete with the top sides not only in Super League in the UK but also in the southern hemisphere.

"I'd also like to say Salford City Council have been very supportive of our application from the onset."

The application to be considered includes a 20,000 seat purpose-built stadium; a 208 bed four star hotel with exhibition and conference space integrated into the stadium structure; a casino also integrated into the stadium; other ancillary uses to the club including bars, restaurants, a museum, gym and swimming pool and a 230,000 square foot retail development for furnishing, DIY and electrical goods stores.

Red City Developments have overseen the project. Chief executive Adam Thomas said: "It is great news for the fans of Salford Reds and great news for the city of Salford.

"We are delighted a date has been given and believe that the reports we have compiled and commissioned form a compelling case for the stadium and associated leisure schemes and huge regeneration benefits for the city and the north west.

"We thank all those who have backed the 'Ave it!' campaign through what has been a time-consuming process and look forward to working with our partners and supporters on the next phase of this project."

Councillor John Merry, the leader of Salford City Council, also hailed the news. He said: "A new stadium is a must if Salford Reds are to compete with the Super League elite, but is not only about Salford making its mark on the pitch. A new development on this scale would join the Lowry as an iconic image of a resurgent and proud city."

Stakeholders, residents and other local people can make representations on the stadium plans until October. If planning members accept the proposals it will then be passed to Government Office North West.

If a public enquiry is not necessary the council can grant permission and the stadium could be completed by early 2007.


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Most recent 2 of 2 user comments

   The stadium will be a disaster because Salford are being much too ambitious with their plans.The club has a support base of about 2500 and they want a ground which is situated in an area which is difficult to access and 20000 capacity?.A stadium should have been built at Agecroft which could have been shared with Swinton Lions.
kozzy, swinton
30/08/2005 at 11:34
   My family used to go and watch the Ice Hockey when it was really popular.When it started to die off they put giant curtains round the empty seats. When Salford gates average 3000 in a 20000 will we see the curtains again. No pun intended hope Im wrong.
Boston, Walkden
29/08/2005 at 14:31
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