So true.

Until it is built it isn't worth a carrot , and if it is built I think you might just regret it , what you have got today is what we had at leigh 8 years ago

Dream on kidda.The nights must fly in your house!

Ok then cocky lad,what's a tem???

Not having a transcript of the press conference it's impossible to know how the presentation was structured, but I am suprised that so much appears to have been made about the use of the stadium by our neighbouring clubs. I don't have a problem with this at all but is this significant? Has this become a requirement now of Council support or the funding scenario?

The current picture of a contentious (site wide) scheme, both commercially and from a town planning point of view means we will have a very nervy few years. I don't unfortunately see this being resolved within the timescales suggested by some.

In terms of town planning it's perfect. straight off the motorway and into the complex. no city congestion... Perfect location IMO

As far as I’m aware the scheme is not reliant upon others playing there and the funding is based on the rest of the scheme getting approval.

If you go to the Stadium Q&A thread on the last page there is a well thought-out balanced viewpoint on the wider scheme and the potential objectors.

Also the town planning will see 800 less cars enter Wakefield with the proposed P&R scheme to be based at the new stadium.

yep every ones a winner with this developement, should and will happen

I'm sorrry but it's worth lots of carrots my friend. The project is progressing well probably to your dissapointment. Your hopes off getting in SL probably depended on us, cas and Salford not getting our stadium. Having said that your lack of competativness on the pitch will probably see you stuck in the championship for a long time to come.

Ok, let me tell you what I see, as a Leeds Rhinos living in Stanley and a construction professional.

Firstly, as I understand it, the council own the land upon which the whole development is going to be built. They have already given the land (possible 999 year lease) the stadium will occupy to the Community Foundation to enable them to lend money against it as an asset. I suspect that the council have done a deal with Yorkcourt in respect of selling (or again long lease) them the remaining land at at a sum below the best possible current market value with Yorkcourt effectively then giving that sum of money back and possible a little more to the Community Foundation as a donation to the scheme. This means the council are not actually paying out any council tax payers money directly, so it is cost neutral in effect. The majority of the proceeding from the sale of Belle Vue will also be given to the Foundation for the build. The Foundation, being independent, will also be able to access other funding streams such as central government grants, lottery grants and EU funding. This is also why it is planned as a community sports facility and not a private development by a privately owned RL club like Wakefield. Wakefield will of course be then given, once completed, a long term lease so there future is secure in the ground itself. There is also probably some huge tax breaks of the giving of the money to a foundation and also developing a formal industrial site, even if it now resides in green-belt.

Yorkcourt planning permission will be conditional on them completing the new highway works and giving the agreed sum of money for the build of the new ground before any other developments start on site.

It is clear that Yorkcourt have to have a full planning green-light to give the money to the foundation to complete the funding required to build the ground. The overall and full development of the site will probably take at least 5 if not towards 10 years and Yorkcourt will know that and are it in for the long-term investment return. As such Yorkcourt don't need to build anything straight away, so it does all rest on getting planning, but I also suspect that Yorkcourt will have at least a few larger tenants interested in units and the hotel and fast-food outlet as well. Rumours in the industry are saying that Tesco are interested in a distribution warehouse on the site as they lack space in the region.

Now planning, well as much as the residents of Newmarket Lane will complain and they will claim because there are only a handful of them directly affected they are being simply brushed aside, I think they are going to struggle to make any legitimate planning objections. They are all ready making the mistake of going down a NIMBY route and that, despite the fact know one wants a huge great industrial estate building at the back of their house, is not a legitimate reason in the eyes of planning law to object. The Yorkcourt team and DLA Architects have thought about the potential objections and the new road means that they will have a now very quiet access only road outside their properties, they have put in screening at the rear of the properties, so they will not see anything and made sure service yards to the units are away from the houses, so reducing noise. The noise from the stadium is no objection because it last for, on average, 2 hours every two weeks and the ground is as far from residents as it could be. They will probably make the mistake, as many do, of trying so hard to stop the development that they will miss any potential legitimate minor changes to the current proposals that ultimately make life better for them to live within the development. They will be there in a few years wondering why they did not ask them to do this with the road, put in more trees here, move that building slightly further away etc, I see it all the time, they will probably regret it if not careful. They might even spend money on legal representation that will cost them money and gain them nothing.

The only sticking point and potential ace up the residents sleeve is the issue of the development being on the current UDP green-belt. I am sure Wakefield planning will pass the scheme but they could ask the Secretary of State to review and call-in the proposal for review. That said, the governments primary focus will be assessing the impact of reduction of the green-belt, not whether it upsets the local residents, and given it is an old colliery site and have some continued community use, they are unlikley to stop it... but this is the very unpredictable bit!

My gut and professional opinion is that it is likely to get the nod. If it does not get called in, then I can see the ground starting to be open in time for 2012 otherwise it could be delayed, but only by months and not years. Lets see and hope it does all go well, I went to the community centre and ticked yes as a local anyway!

What a thoroughly interesting read, thanks for that.

What a shame you’re a Leeds Fan .

What an excellent read!

I don’t think Starbug is disappointed, just pointing out the pitfalls Leigh have endured, both during the construction of the stadium & also how the club are now treated as tenants.

Whilst I agree with the majority of your posting, i was under the impression that the land was already owned by Yorkcourt and that the land that the council has put aside for us to use as collateral is actually elsewhere and not directly part of the development area.

Maybe someone who knows a bit more could clarify this point.