Backing for sports plan on Cannock Stadium site
Plans for a sports and leisure ground on the former Cannock Stadium site have been backed. Proposals to restore facilities at the landmark site were given the nod by members of the decision-making cabinet last night.
Members of the public were well behind the scheme during a consultation period and a detailed report will now be drawn up to bring the proposals to life. Officers have said it could take up to five years to become a reality but senior councillors are confident of finding funding.
Council leader George Adamson said: "It is our intention to make the stadium part of our Olympic legacy. We are trying to get as much as we can on this site. We will have something to show for 2012.
Culture and sports chief councillor Christine Mitchell added: "We have a wonderful opportunity to create a sport and recreation hub that will benefit the whole community.
"Encouraging active and healthy lifestyles is a priority for us and we want to provide opportunities for residents to enjoy a range of sports and leisure activities on the site.
"I am really excited to see the proposals for this development and would urge local residents to get involved at every opportunity."
The consultation revealed the most popular sport and recreation facilities wanted were football pitches and athletics training. It is hoped work could begin at the former stadium site in the next 12 months.
The stadium in Pye Green Road was demolished in 2009. In May 2012, the council decided to remove the former stadium site from the list of land available for housing development and develop it as public open space and for sport and leisure purposes.
In July, bosses at the council decided to ask the people of Cannock what they wanted from the site and a public consultation started in October. They received more than 400 responses.
