More updates on new stadium approval

Last updated : 09 September 2003 By Michael Morris
Cardiff City's new stadium is another step closer. As revealed last night the Welsh assembly will not call in the plans.

Cardiff County council approved Cardiff City's application last month and the Assembly had a 21 day period in which to decide if they would call the plans in for scrutiny but yesterday Minister Carwyn Jones confirmed that the plans will not be looked at and the next stage can commence.

Legal agreements now need to be signed so planning consent can be issued.

Council leader Russell Goodway said of the news

"This is great news for the city, the club and the people of Cardiff, who stand to benefit from a premier stadium facility.

"I can't wait to see the development start on site - we look forward to seeing the club's dream become a reality."

While Councillor Graham Hinchey said

"I am delighted the application has received Welsh Assembly Government approval and, subject to legal agreements, I expect planning consents to be issued."

There had been objections from some councillors about the retail side of the development while Vale of Glamorgan councillors were worried about the traffic effects on their area. Another objector was WRU leader David Moffat who wanted the Bluebirds to use the Milennium Stadium.

The project said to worth over £100m will be funded by selling retail space on the site at Leckwith. A new athletic stadium and road networks are also part of the plans.

An independant report into the project claimed that if Cardiff were to make the Premiership with a new stadium, then millions of pounds and hundreds of jobs would be attracted to the City. The stadium project now will create hundreds of new jobs in the building of the stadium and the shops, hotel and health spa that will be created.

It is hoped that the whole project will be finalised within the next 5 months so the new athletic stadium can start to be contructed in January / February with the new football stadium completed in 2005.

Sam Hammam has told todays Echo

“We are pleased the assembly has acted quickly and their decision marks the end of the first phase of what I am trying to do at Cardiff City.

“I would hope we can start in earnest around late January or mid-February in building the replacement athletics stadium. It should now take about five months to finalise everything.

“I am also confident there will not be any hiccups with the retailing aspect which will help fund the development. The whole project is now a reality".