Sports body stands up for venue stance

Sport England has defended its work in making sure there are sports facilities available to replace those at Cannock Stadium which closed its doors last week for the last time.

The stadium, on Pye Green Road is at the heart of Cannock Chase Council's plans to sell the stadium and land to housing developers. The money raised by the sale will then go towards its £20 million leisure village plan which would include a revamp of Chase Leisure Centre and a new replacement stadium at Blake Valley Technical College.

Steve Town, regional director for West Midlands Sport England, said the organisation had played an active role negotiating between sports clubs and the council in making sure temporary facilities were in place until the new stadium and football pitches are built.

He said: "Sport England has sought to secure temporary alternative facilities for use by the athletics and football clubs until the new stadium and pitches are built to provide continuity of training and competition.

"Arrangements have been agreed through direct negotiations between the athletics, football clubs and Cannock Chase Council and will be secured through the Section 106 agreement should planning permission be granted."

A draft Section 106 agreement negotiated with Sport England has meant the design of the new stadium would follow their technical guidance, provide for 25 years' maintenance and secure access for schools, clubs and community groups to use the stadium.

He also said Sport England worked to secure money to deliver the replacement stadium, two multi-games areas, one new full-sized artificial turf pitch, three new grass pitches and upgrading of various grass pitches at Blake Valley and at Heath Hayes and Hednesford Park.