News: Council secures land for Rotherham United community stadium

Rotherham Council has completed a land deal that will enable Rotherham United to progress plans for a community stadium on the edge of the town centre.

The deal is to purchase 10.85 acres at the Guest and Chrimes site from Evans of Leeds for over £2m.

The club themselves has secured 4.5 acres of adjacent land where the now demolished Gloystarne distribution warehouse was situated.

The council is confident that the project will have a big impact on the continued regeneration of the area and provide a boost to the town, the fans, residents and town centre businesses.

On a key Rotherham Renaissance site, the proposals would not just create a community stadium but provide high-quality buildings, public spaces and the opportunity for further facilities to be provided within the site, an enhanced vibrancy to the town centre, opportunities for learning and local employment during the construction period, community-based sports-learning and improved pedestrian links.

In an update to the council's Regeneration Scrutiny Panel, Paul Woodcock, director of planning and regeneration, also reported that an agreement between the council and the club for the lease of the land has been reached in principle and is now being progressed legally.

It will be the responsibility of the football club to secure the finance for the construction of the stadium.

Rotherham United submitted its formal outline planning application for the new 12,000 all-seater stadium in July and it is now going through the statutory consultation stage. It is intended that the application be submitted to the council's planning board in November with detailed plans and a reserved matters application considered in due course.

The club hopes that the new stadium will be built for the start of the 2012/13 season.

Rotherham United website

Images: Rotherham United / Signet Planning