MP backs plan for stadium inquiry

Support has been voiced by Cannock and Rugeley's MP for the fact a public inquiry is to be held into plans to sell off the district's sports stadium.

Cannock Chase MP Tony Wright has thrown his weight behind the fact the Government has called in Cannock Chase Council's decision to sell off the site in Pye Green Road for housing.

Mr Wright said there was strong local feeling over the decision so it was only fair a public inquiry was held to ensure everyone got their say. He said: "It is right that there should be a public inquiry into this proposal.

"The stadium is a major sports facility in the district and there is strong local feeling that it should not be closed and the land sold off for housing." He added: "There are also questions about whether the proposed closure is consistent with the local plan and with commitments to green open space and sport and recreation.

"It is right that these questions should be properly examined in a public inquiry, which is why I welcome the Government's announcement."

Cannock Chase Council planned to demolish the stadium off Pye Green Road and build a 350-home development in its place.

The move would have unlocked around £20million to be ploughed into improving leisure facilities in the district and the authority had vowed to provide a replacement for the stadium's facilities.

It proposed creating an athletics track and other facilities at Blake Valley Technology College in Marston Road, Hednesford. The plans to demolish the stadium and sell off the land were passed in February.

But Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for communities and local government, has now decided a public inquiry was needed to consider all the relevant aspects of the proposed development.

The call-in could delay the project by up to a year and cost the authority, and ultimately taxpayers, around £1million.

A delay in selling the stadium to housing developers last September has already cost the authority £560,000.

The plan has proved extremely controversial and Labour Councillor Chris Mitchell sent a dossier of evidence against the plan to the Government as part of the fight to save the stadium from the axe.

But Cannock Chase Council leader Councillor Neil Stanley has maintained keeping the stadium open was not a viable option.

The district council spends roughly a quarter of its entire budget on providing leisure facilities which is an estimated £3.25 million. Councillor Stanley said the stadium was costing £1,000 a day to keep the stadium open and was used regularly by approximately 60 members of the Cannock and Stafford Athletics Club.

But campaigners said the facility should not be lost and the athletics club collected a 6,000 name petition and penned letters to MPs, party leaders, the sports minister and the 2012 Olympics Committee.