Green light for ground

From the archive, first published Wednesday 28th Sep 2005.

PLANS to redevelop the County Ground have potential, according to Swindon Council. But Swindon Town Football Club and the authority still need to work out how the scheme would be financed.

The news comes as South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove gives her backing to the redevelopment of the ground.

The club's plans were submitted to the council last month. They were not made public but the Advertiser revealed they included an idea to turn the pitch by 90 degrees.

Coun Justin Tomlinson (Con, Abbey Meads), cabinet member for leisure, culture and recreation said after taking advice the council thought the scheme was possible.

"We as a council are still keen to see this progress as the redevelopment of the County Ground would benefit this major gateway site in Swindon.

"We are having positive conversations regarding the way the finances can stack up."

But he warned it would take time, especially as the club did not have a major investor like former Blackburn Rovers chairman Jack Walker who ploughed millions of pounds into the club.

"These things will take time where a club doesn't have a Jack Walker of a chairman," said Coun Tomlinson.

"But in principle a scheme is financially workable there."

Meanwhile Mrs Snelgrove has written to the club giving her backing to the redevelopment.

"I would like to confer my full support to your commitment to improving the facilities at the County Ground to the standards of a 21st century club with high ambitions, whilst keeping the club where it belongs, at the heart of Swindon," her letter read.

But Mrs Snelgrove told the Advertiser that the club must consider the views of the cricket club and local residents as well as issues about car parking.

Sandy Gray, chief executive of the club, welcomed the backing from Mrs Snelgrove.

"We are very appreciative of her support," she said.

"We feel that we need everybody behind us. We see the club as being a gateway to the regeneration of the whole town of Swindon."

Mrs Gray added that the council had written to the club with a series of questions which they were working on. She hoped to meet with councillors again in the next couple of weeks.

Isabel Field

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