Bosses call for stadium rethink

Bosses at Sport England urged senior officers at Cannock Chase Council to have a rethink about demolishing Cannock Stadium, it has now emerged.

In an email seen by the Express & Star Sport England offered help to the council.

It urged it to consider transferring the stadium to the community just days before a crucial meeting by councillors on December 22. Despite the pleas from Sport England councillors voted to demolish the stadium in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour which has sprung up around the site since it was closed in the summer.

Steve Town, regional director for Sport England in the West Midlands told corporate director Tony McGovern the council could explore a community transfer of the site.

He added: "As you know we have no statutory power to force authorities to maintain facilities, but we would like to help you maintain the facility if we can pending longer term replacement.

"To facilitate this we would be most happy to meet with your team to discuss this option and would be able to offer advice and support as we would not like to see the site lost to sports use."

The council had hoped to sell the stadium land for housing to release million of pounds to revamp Cannock Leisure Centre and carry out other major projects.

The plan was rejected by the Government which means the future of Cannock swimming pool is in doubt.

The 11th hour e-mail has sparked anger from council leader Neil Stanley who criticised the agency for "not grasping the bigger picture" and he called on Steve Town to consider his position.

Councillor Stanley said: "For them to come out with this at this late stage and not to have suggested it three years ago is disgraceful.

"We have been talking to Sport England for three years and they could have done a lot more. They have failed to grasp what this was all about."

No-one from Sport England was available to respond.