Development and regeneration programme Hereford Football Stadium

[megilleland]

13/11/2018 Herefordshire Council

Development and regeneration programme Hereford Football Stadium refurbishment preliminary appraisal

Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)

Decision details
Development and regeneration programme Hereford Football Stadium refurbishment preliminary appraisal

Decision Maker: Cabinet member contracts and assets

Decision status: Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: Yes

To approve the scope and cost of the first stage of appraisal services to be provided by the council’s developer partner, Engie Regeneration, in respect of a potential project to refurbish and redevelop part of the Edgar Street Stadium, the Blackfriars Stand and the West Stand, supported by funding from the provision of new commercial uses which meet the needs of the wide community of stakeholders and are complementary to the local area including the Old Market.

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In The Hereford Times today:

Cost of moving Hereford FC from Edgar Street estimated to be at least £10m
By Carmelo Garcia
Local Democracy Reporter

Quote

 

(extract)
Specialist consultants commissioned to look at refurbishment options for Edgar Street had estimated the cost of moving the stadium to a greenfield site to be around £10m.

But Herefordshire Council’s growth programme director Richard Gabb said the Bulls currently have no intention to relocate the stadium.

“Consultations with Hereford FC confirmed that there is no appetite, at this stage, for considering the relocation of the stadium and the improvement of the ground would represent a positive contribution to the gathering pace of regeneration taking place in this area of the city,” he said in a council report.

Mr Gabb said the council’s strategy identifies the potential for small scale shops and accommodation to be provided alongside improved club facilities.

He also said it would make the stadium a focal point at the heart of the city of which the club, its supporters and the city can be proud of.

The preliminary assessment report commissioned by the council identified a £15m four-phased redevelopment of the entire ground which included the need to improve the Blackfriars stand.

Council chiefs have now included the redevelopment of the Edgar Street stadium in their regeneration programme and have given the go-ahead to spend up to £120,000 to develop a business case and identify the costs of replacement stands at the Blackfriars and West stand.

 

Needs doing. After dribbling around with this I bet it will get kicked into touch!

[twowheelsgood]

If this isn't a 'key decision' then what is? As the cost of Blueschool House doubled from £1m to £2m (that we know of) with no explanation as yet, I think we can safely assume that the £10m will soon double to £20m, following which, a 'here today, gone tomorrow' suit will trot out the usual 'lessons will be learned'.

[megilleland]

Bearing in mind that the council want to encourage £15m investment in this area what has happened to the proposed community centre planned as part of the Keepmoat Homes/Herefordshire Housing development at The Oval - Planning Application P131390/O approved with conditions on 18th September 2013. A facility which would benefit existing and new residents.