E-mail Article Print this story

Highbury Stadium

Related Links

• Teams
• Fleetwood Town

Town receive the green light

Blue Square North leaders Fleetwood Town have been successful in their bid for planning permission for a new £4m flagship east stand.

Wyre Borough Council planning officials unanimously passed the construction, which could start as early as April, on Wednesday afternoon.

Club chairman Andy Pilley was jubilant with the news which will add a fourth new stand and ensure Highbury Stadium meets Football League requirements.

Pilley said: "I'm absolutely delighted with the news. It's a project we have worked tirelessly on. It's been time consuming and expensive.

"The club has worked very closely with the council. It's not the first time they've seen the plans as we've had pre-planning meetings which have proved fruitful.

"We can't thank the council enough for their positive backing of something which will be of benefit to the whole community."

Pilley feels the news of the new stand, coupled with Town's promotion hopes, will boost morale in the local area.

"Our current success on the pitch and now this news has tremendously increased the feel good factor around the club. In a year's time we won't be far from having a Football League standard ground. That is very, very exciting," he continued.

"Football is not far from the only task occurring in and around our new stand. We will hopefully have IT and learning facilities, along with offices for 70 or 80 new jobs. Those jobs are in addition to the construction jobs that will be created and match day opportunities for local people."

The chairman is realistic about when construction work will start and the tasks which must be completed initially.

He added: "The tender process comes first and we are keen to ensure value for money. It's a very expensive job and we aim to crack on as soon as possible. As soon as we are through the tender process we may be able to start the build as soon as April."

The building will contain a 2,000 capacity seated stand and is earmarked for the run down side of the ground bordering the Memorial Park.

The development will include new community changing facilities for the Memorial Park, IT & learning suites and office facilities for rental to non-football concerns.

In addition, operational enhancements will include a function lounge, executive boxes, club offices and club shop.

www.fleetwoodtownfc.com