City backs stadium plan

10:53am Friday 2nd May 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Lancaster City Council has agreed to enter into a development agreement to pave the way for the building of a new football stadium in Morecambe.

On Thursday members of the council's cabinet gave the green light to proposals to sell council land on Westgate to Morecambe Football Club.

The agreement, which is subject to the club gaining planning permission, will enable the building of a 6,800 capacity stadium on the land along with associated facilities.

An important part of the plans, which cabinet was particularly pleased to see, is the provision of community facilities.

It has been agreed that the development will include a full-size artificial pitch, a multi-games area, tennis courts and a minimum of 2,650m2 of informal green space.

Cllr Evelyn Archer, cabinet member with responsibility for regeneration in Morecambe, says: "Morecambe Football Club is the true definition of a community asset and we want to do all we can to support their ambitions.

"Not only will the new development be good for the club, it will also be another landmark in the continued regeneration of Morecambe."

In addition to the community facilities Morecambe Football Club have indicated that they would be willing to make a financial contribution to the refurbishment of an existing play area located on Langridge Way.

The development agreement also makes provisions for the relocation of Westgate Wanderers, who currently use the land on Westgate, to King George's Playing Field on Lordsome Road in Heysham.

Rod Taylor, Morecambe FC's chief executive, adds: "It was a very positive meeting and the council are to be congratulated on contributing to a major landmark in the club's - and the town's - future.

"We are absolutely delighted and now we can look forward to the planning meeting, when we hope we can take another step forward because we are on a very tight time schedule. We have a lot of work to do at the new site for Westgate Wanderers as well as delivering the new stadium on time, but make no mistake, this is a massive day for the club."

The transfer of the land at Westgate to Morecambe FC is also subject to approval of a High Court application to transfer Trust agreements relating to the use of Christie Park.

The Trust relates to a Deed of Gift made in 1928 by JB Christie, under which the club was granted a lease of the land at Christie Park.

In the event that the club ceased to exist the agreement stated that the land would transfer to the city council to be used as a 'public recreation ground'.

The Trustees have applied to the High Court to transfer this clause to the new stadium.