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Cannock Stadium work to start next April

Work to redevelop the former Cannock Stadium site and create a new multi-million pound sports complex will start in April next year, it was revealed today.

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The former Cannock Stadium site

A full-sized football pitch, five smaller pitches, allotments, children's play areas, outdoor gym and a community centre are all included in the ambitious scheme.

A feasibility study has now been carried out and revealed phase one of the project, which will be delivered in two stages, will cost Cannock Chase Council around £1,382,000.

Head of commissioning Mike Edmonds, said: "Councils have a major role in contributing to the promotion and delivery of increased participation in sport, recreation and physical activity.

"The provision of first class sports and recreation facilities that are sustainable and meet the needs of the community can assist in meeting this role.

"The estimated capital cost to deliver the facilities proposed in Phase 1 is £1,382,000. It is anticipated that some work on site can start in April 2015."

Also included in the redevelopment is a BMX and skateboard area, multi-use games area and a full-sized 3G sports pitch.

And there will be two car parks for 100 vehicles, a trim trail with 15 stations along the main pathways and CCTV will cover the main car park and community centre.

Cannock Stadium has stood empty for the past six years. It closed in 2008, forcing groups to find new facilities.

The Pye Green stadium site was originally earmarked for housing but plans were scrapped in 2012 when the council announced the site would instead be used for sport and leisure once again.

A public consultation was carried out last year to find out what residents in Cannock Chase wanted to see built at the site.

The project is being funded using £517,500 Section 106 money from Asda, it was finally agreed last year. The retail giant handed the cash over as part of the conditions attached to building its 24-hour store in Avon Road, Cannock nine years ago.

There were fears that the money would be clawed back as it was not spent in time by the local authority.

The council's cabinet on Thursday (18) is set to approve to spend the cash on the stadium development and a full planning application will be submitted later this year.

The cost of running phase one facilities each year will be £68,340, according to the council.

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