News from the meeting

[Guest]

http://www.slough.gov.uk/News/britwell.asp

[Burnham Lad]

The Council Press release says:

 

"The ideas also include the possibility of building a new football stadium to be the new home of Slough Town Football Club, as well as a travel lodge/hotel that could be used by local businesses"

 

What a disappointment - nothing more than a possibility? What was all the hype for about the big announcement. I thought it would be a lot more definite than this!

 

This looks years away by the time it has gone through consultation, planning, approvals, tenders, before any building gets anywhere near. So where does that leave us in terms of having a settled home for the league requirements - we only have three years on Windsor.

 

 

[BFR]

All ifs and maybes

[Guest]

I too was expecting something more definite rather than possibilities. As someone said this could take years to become reality. Suppose some news is better than no news?

[Burnham Lad]

Yeah - a definite maybe and a possible perhaps!

[Nathan]

Doesn't anyone think that it has taken long enough for the council to find us a site?

[Guest]

Yes but the re development idea will re generate this area and the propsal is good news for Slough...really...

 

I am told that no one has oppossed the idea and the local residents I am sure will welcome some good news , not just a new stadium complex but new housing and new shops...

 

At least its a start....come on the best we have heard in a very long time...it will be only the first step....Yes granted...but lets hope this will roll along quickly...

 

cheers chris

 

 

[budman13]

Lets hope the regeneration idea does work. At least it's a site.

[Nathan]

It might not ne a good one though. The council have let us down in the past...

[Roy]

If it's a redevelopment site, then that should mean that grants are available to assist with the cost.

Also think the FA may be able to help.

And we've got the £46,000 from last years' cup run (plus £1000 this year so far)

 

Let's be optimistic eh?

[Dominic]

You think Deaners still got that 46k, wake up !

[Burnham Lad]

Quote:

Anonymous said:

I am told that no one has oppossed the idea and the local residents I am sure will welcome some good news , not just a new stadium complex but new housing and new shops...

At least its a start....come on the best we have heard in a very long time...it will be only the first step....Yes granted...but lets hope this will roll along quickly...

Chris - it is quite close to the site Burnham had found and look at the furore they faced. They had to give it up in the end. Bluntly, sites which are close to residential areas are going to be a problem - once the residents realise No one has opposed it - YET- but their "Local representatives" will only be too glad to jump on a popularity kick - it is much easier to oppose than to create.

And as for getting this to roll quickly, I think you can forget it in the timescale we have, which is three years at Windsor. If we even have the planning permissions cleared by the end of that I will be amazed, especially given the comment by the Council to the effect this is only a few ideas at this stage and they welcome others. All we are talking about here is an initial concept. No plans exist, no agreements exist, no popular or council support exists, no permissions exist. We are further back than we were with the area near the current stadium.

Finding all these things, plus the cash to do it is a long, long project. Better start saving for an awfully long groundshare - we have only got 12 months paid.......

Positive as this is for regeneration of Slough, I for one am really disappointed in this - I thought we would and should be seeing something much more concrete than a few council ideas being floated to see how they go before anybody does anything!

Talk to Mr Thorne about getting our ground back! That is the only and obvious way to get ourselves back - we don't have time before the leagues set and we could be left way behind.

I'm sorry Chris - I know how hard you and the STSA / Trust are working, but I think a hell of a lot of fans will be thinking this Council announcement is yet another load of what an old Naval Commander I knew called wee and wind!

May I refer you to a document I found doing a search on the Borough website at http://slough.gov.uk/localenvironment/local%20plan/chapt6.doc, which is the " Review of the Local Plan for Slough Inquiry Inspector’s Report Chapter 6 - Open Space, Community, Leisure and Education " towards the end of the document - it shows what we are up against - looking at the planning grounds which will need to be met. (Not to mention that it seems we were omitted by the Council, apparently deliberately. No wonder we are where we are!)

Section begins i.e. the Inspector reported:

OMISSION
6.16 Slough Town Football Club
0087/365 English Sports Council South
Objection:
6.16.1 A policy on the replacement of Slough Town Football Club has been omitted. Siting of major stadia requires strategic overview so that the most appropriate sites can be identified. Factors such as the need for the facility, accessibility by public transport and by road, the impact on neighbouring uses and opportunities to contribute to urban regeneration should be taken into account. There may also be opportunities to include community sport facilities in the developments and this should be considered at the planning stage. The Plan should provide clear guidance on need for new stadia and locational criteria. If relocation is the aim, consideration should be given to the potential to re-use derelict or reclaimed land in the urban fringe and the proximity of any site to the traditional catchment area of the club.
Main Issue:
§ Replacement of Slough Town Football Club
Conclusion:
6.16.2 Sport England in their letter dated 2 December 1999 state ‘Having had the opportunity to see Slough Borough Council’s written representations in relation to our original objection, Sport England accepts the argument put forward by the Council and is therefore prepared to withdraw our objection.’ I conclude no modification is necessary.
Recommendation:
6.16.3 I recommend that no modification be made to the Local Plan.
Section ends

[Nathan]

I have just been there this evening and it is the ideal site for a football ground. Loads of space and reasonable for transport.

[Ted]

Research!!---Good thinking RB---but is it big enough for a ground, parking, and facilities.

[Nathan]

Of course it is! I was there, you weren't! I should know!

[Ted]

You should know a lot of things!! <img src="/images/graemlins/boxing.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/alk.gif" alt="" />

[Nathan]

what is that supposed to mean?

[Martin]

I am largely with Andrew on this one. Very early stages and far from certain. This will take years to come to fruition. It is only a positive step if it is followed up. It is vital that we keep the pressure on the council and don't let them appease us by floating an idea.

[Guest]

Questions

 

What is going to happen to Wexham Park? a Superstore?

 

What happens if like previously the council decide to build a school instead?

 

What if planning permision is denied?

 

What if we cant find the money?

 

Sorry to be negative but we must ensure these questions are fully answered before we can move foward.

 

On the plus side we should get Master Foods to sponsor us as we will be on thier door step.

[Guest]

of course everyone is negative on this plan and impossible dream...but lets see what happens...yes andrew you are right about being close to Burnhams request for new land...one major difference this land is under slough council control and not in South Bucks..control...a major big difference also the residents of Britwell can see a positive benifit to this project...getting rid of the Wentworth shops area and re generating an area that need help ! its a bit differant than trying to build in the middle of Stoke Poges and on land in south bucks control...

 

Yes a long way to go but a step in the right direction....

 

cheers Chris