Quote: My Uncle Harry "
The Council (that's us) need to find money to revamp the area around west park. It depends on what's done, but it's liable to cost us £10's of millions at least.'"
Since when has this been of paramount importance to the city of Hull?
Hull needs investment, but not specifically to the area around the KC. The Victorian park does not need development, nor does the fairground and semiweekly market ground and car park - save for a bit of tarting up to the latter's surface. Why lose these already functional areas at the expense or others in more need of investment? If fact, as a Hull resident I would be extremely indignant at the pointless sacrifice of either if these facilities. The whole thing smacks carving out the cheekbone of an already pretty face in order to extract a tooth.
There could be an argument for development of the land east of the stadium - around the area between the two railway lines and the stadium - but in the scheme of things, this is low down on the list of urgent priorities.
Quote: My Uncle Harry "
The (now) leader of the Council previously suggested that he'd welcome full discussions and possibly even offer it to a referendum.
'"
And has ordered several meetings to hear the plans, which were unfortunately not forthcoming, therefore offering him no criteria on which to hold a referendum.
Quote: My Uncle Harry "
A meeting recently took place with Councillors and some Officers. At such an early stage the discussion can only be about concepts and agreements in principal. From the comments at interview of one person at the meeting, it seems some expected more meat on the bone.
Some of the perceptions of that individual have been shown to be wrong, such as Hull FC being kicked out in 15 months. The manner he came across on the radio didn't come across as someone being constructive, but more as someon looking for obstacles.
'"
You're doing it again - labelling Mr Geraghty as the sole concluder of events at that meeting, instead of the spokesperson of the group. Cllr Geraghty described on air and in the paper why the consensus decision [iof that meeting[/i concluded that the council could not offer the stadium freehold to Mr Allam based on the information he supplied. He stated the council remained open to further discussion once Mr Allam was in a position to describe more fully his intentions.
Quote: My Uncle Harry "
People seem attached to the thought that it would be donating cash to a business man, and even over inflate the value of the Stadium. The same people seem happy for that to happen if it's a different piece of land that was 'offered' even though that land would be of significant value. This land is also seen as suitable for the scheme, even though another big argument is that we don't know what the scheme is as nobody's seen the plans! So the will for the concept seems to be there in principal.
'"
That's because it would be.
It's funny, isn't it, that when Pearson and the SMC were in discussion to bring the
rlleisure complex and casino to the site a few years back,rl it did not involve the need to give the stadium to the Casino owner.
Any other location for the devlopment is not palatable to Mr Allam, as it does not include the stadium's freehold.
Quote: My Uncle Harry "
There's no doubt that both parties played their part in the breakdown, but as we're the ones that need the money, it's our duty to do everything practically possible to make the talks happen. There's a clear clash of personality and understanding involving one person that was involved in the last talks and they should step back from further talks.'"
There is absolutely no evidence at all that the council were responsible in any way for the breakdown. It is Allam who has spat his dummy and made his last word on the subject and the council that are happy to reconvene if he comes up with anything new. And, as pointed out above - we [idon't[/i need the money for that particular area.
Please stop alluding to your fantasy of Clr Geraghty being an Allam sceptic here, and, in fact, the only one. I know for a fact that other councillors not present at the meeting could not believe the weakness of the "proposals" submitted by Allam. Your persecution of Cllr Geraghty's character is erring on the side of not being very cautious at all.
