Inquiry 'blocks' up to £300m

Cannock has lost out on up to £300 million in inward investment because a planning inquiry blocked plans to sell Cannock Festival Stadium for housing, it is

The decision torpedoed Cannock Chase Council's leisure strategy, which included a replacement stadium at Blake Valley Technology College in Hednesford, a new theatre sparking regeneration of the town centre and a leisure village on the site of the centre at Cannock Park.

Local government minister Hazel Blears refused planning permission at the Pye Green Road site because it would have led to a loss of open space which 'outweighed leisure benefits'.

Council leader Neil Stanley said: "Planning permission to sell off the stadium land for housing would have led to capital schemes potentially totalling around £100 million.

"There would have been £27 million from the council for the leisure strategy, building on the stadium land worth about £28, plus around £50 million for the replacement Prince of Wales theatre and regeneration of the town centre.

"People within the business community estimate the trickle down from those projects, including new businesses and jobs, would see that figure trebled in terms of the investment coming into the district.

"It is a terrible lost opportunity to revitalise the town and its facilities."

On Monday, the Express & Star revealed the redevelopment of Cannock town centre and hopes of building a new Prince of Wales were at serious risk.