Stadium's fate is in the balance

Cannock's stadium could be demolished under drastic measures to slash anti-social behaviour at the site – despite plans to bulldoze it to make way for housing being thrown out.

Leisure bosses at Cannock Chase Council had hoped to sell the stadium for housing and then plough the cash into revamping other leisure facilities in the district.

But the Secretary of State has refused to approve planning consent for the multi million pound redevelopment. The authority must now come up with an alternative strategy for the leisure centre, which closed its doors in July.

Since the closure, the building has become a target for vandalism and anti-social behaviour, prompting a string of angry complaints.

Campaigners fear the problems will continue for years to come if the future of the site is not decided, following the collapse of the proposed redevelopment.

The authority stumps up around £63,136 per year to cover rates, alarms and security at the unused building, before the costs of maintenance work.

And bosses are now preparing to discuss its future. Although the Government said no to housing at the Pye Green Road site, the decision does not prevent the building from being torn down.

Demolishing the stadium, taking up the track, and re-instating the ground would incur a one-off cost of around £100,000. Alternatively the council is considering maintaining the current security arrangements at the building.

Cannock councillor Gordon Alcott has said nuisance problems spiralled in north Cannock after the closure of the stadium.

The district council will meet on December 22.