Quote: Mrs Barista "It was. That was then, an emotive argument to get people on-side. Sport's a good thing, right? But sporting facilities make little money. In 2011, local businessman Allam has revealed detailed plans to build a complex, which would include a hotel, tennis, squash and gymnastics facilities, an Olympic-size swimming pool and a multi-story car park. "People of all ages will be able to come and play here. I want to see our younger generation only go home to eat and sleep, rather than hanging around on street corners." Noble. If unsupported by presentation of any detail to the folks he wanted to donate him a £46m asset.
Last weekend, however, the current version was revealed here "I had in mind £30 million to spend on the infrastructure of the club, to increase the stadium by 10,000 and to have commercial activities around the stadium – cafeterias, shops, supermarkets - to have all this to create income for the club so that in the future it can be self-financing and not relying on me."
Philanthropic Sporting village gift, or Hull City-funding, city centre-killing retail park? Could it be any clearer? You still seem unwilling to discuss planning policy on city centre regeneration. I recently met the head of planning for the North West. I know where the appetite is, and I understand why. You seem blinded to the downsides, in fact you state categorically that there are none. Because it's convenient for you to slate anyone challenging lifting sensible convenants and articulating the broader context of financial and ownership risk, retail market decline and planning policy as a Luddite.'"
Hull City Council determine what does, or doesn't, get planning permission, but if you refuse to discuss moving the fair, then you're guaranteed to get nothing. Luddites is a perfect term for those in charge of Hull City Council, dinosaurs is another.
