New Ground

SECRETARY of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions Stephen Byers MP has ‘called in’ Chelmsford City Football Club’s planning application to build a new stadium at Boreham.
The proposal was supported by Chelmsford Borough Council at a meeting in July, but it had to be referred to the Secretary of State under planning regulations because the application is a departure from the Council’s current development plan.
The Minister now says he ought to decide the application himself because he feels the proposed stadium may conflict with national planning policies on important matters. He will now make arrangements to hold a public inquiry. An independent Inspector will be appointed to hold the inquiry.
The minister wants the Inquiry Inspector to look at five issues in particular. These are:
1. The relationship of the proposal to the Council’s new Local Plan, in particular the Plan’s proposals for new housing north of Boreham and for a park and ride facility near the Boreham Interchange
2. The relationship of the proposal to Government policy on location of major sports stadia and accessibility
3. The possible impact of the proposal on the open countryside
4. Whether or not the need for the development and the benefits it would bring would nevertheless justify the Minister to grant planning permission
5. Finally, whether any planning permission granted should be the subject of conditions.

“We are of course disappointed for the Club and for its supporters,” said Leader of Chelmsford Borough Council Councillor Michael Mackrory.
“The Council will now begin to prepare its case for the Inquiry in support of the proposal. No date has yet been fixed for the Inquiry, but it is unlikely to start before Christmas.”
The Club’s plans are for a football stadium with space for approximately 4100 spectators, alongside a banqueting and function suite, seminar and board room, public bar, sports injuries and training facilities, all weather pitch, floodlighting and car parking.

More than ever every Chelmsford City fan needs to pull together to support the club. See this posting from our Chairman Peter Stroud on the application

"The Secretary of State (SoS) has ‘called-in’ the application. Basically, we wants to look further into it to make sure the decision was correct. He has also said that it must go to an inquiry.

I will try and explain as best I can, remembering that I am not a planning expert, so this is what I think it’s all about

The SoS has the authority to have a look at any application that a Local Council recommend for acceptance. In most cases the SoS will accept the Councils decision, saying that it is a local decision. However, if the SoS wants to look at the application more thoroughly before accepting or rejecting he can.

2. He believes that was insignificant evidence available at the time of the council decision for it to make a recommendation

1. The government’s policy is for Brownfield sites to be utilised, and this is a Greenfield site. If the SoS believes is a departure from their policies then it could be turned down at the inquiry on that basis.

2. The government could request a lot of further detailed information, such as Environmental impact analysis, archaeological impacts analysis, etc. This may well cost well in excess of £100K in professional fees. This amount could well double if we need to present these findings at an enquiry using the QC’s. I would not take the risk of losing that amount of money and would not contest.

3. Unsure what we would have to do, if anything, just wait the outcome I assume

5. Unsure what we would have to do, if anything, just wait the outcome I assume

The Local Plan 2001-2011 might be our best hope of success. It is being heard at another government inquiry September 2002 and won’t probably be accepted in total until at least a year after that. We might have to wait until then and resubmit an application on the same site, if the Council include it in the Local Plan – a long time to wait.

The government official who I need to speak to, to find out more details was not in yesterday, but should be returning to work on Monday. I will speak to him then and keep you all up to date.

One thing I do know is that we are going to need a lot of support over the short and medium-term. Just to keep this club running on a day-to-day basis is very expensive and if the light is too far down that tunnel, there is a massive decision to be made. This burden must be shared, or there might be no club to carry that burden.

YOU WILL NEED TO JOIN IN EVERY FUNDRAISING SCHEME THAT THIS CLUB RUNS. DON'T BE SURPRISED OR CONCERNED IF YOU SEE THE OLD COLLECTION BUCKETS OUT AT THE GAMES AGAIN.

I will keep this fight going, but I need an army supporting me and getting right behind me."

Chelmsford City, needs everyone to help in any way they can. Get a 49 Club Application form see the FUND RAISING PAGE and try and do your bit

Here is the press release put out by Chelmsford Borough Council this afternoon:-

A NEW football stadium for Chelmsford City Football Club could soon be a reality, following support by Chelmsford Borough Council last night (Monday July 16) of plans for the new facility.

Members of the Planning Committee welcomed the plans for a football stadium with space for approximately 4100 spectators, alongside a banqueting and function suite, seminar and board room, public bar, sports injuries and training facilities, all weather pitch, floodlighting and car parking. The site of the new stadium is north of the A12 at Boreham with access from Generals Lane.

The club provided detailed statements in support of the application, particularly addressing transport issues, floodlighting, and the club’s proposed links with the local community and continuation of its comprehensive youth development scheme.

Wide consultation with Essex County Council, emergency services, utilities, parish councils and local people were taken into consideration, and a number of people spoke at the Planning Committee meeting.

The application is a departure from the current development plan, so the Secretary of State will be notified before permission can be finalised. This outline permission would be subject to a legal agreement to manage transport issues, to minimise impact on the immediate area and to ensure that facilities have the widest possible community use.

Speaking at the meeting, Leader of Chelmsford Borough Council Councillor Michael Mackrory spoke in favour of the plans: “I welcome the opportunity of the club returning to its historical home. Although this is outside our current policy, there are a number of compelling factors that allow an exception to policy to be made – not least the demonstrable benefit the proposal would have for the community and the lack of any other suitable site.”

"The planning application went in last July. It was taken back in December and resubmitted in January. The application is due to be heard at the end of May. In the mean time the Council have selected the North Boreham area as their preferred choice for redevelopment (New Houses etc).

Therefore we are hopeful that our application will be approved. then with luck (and loads of Money). The ground should be ready to play on by Xmas 2002."

JAN 19TH 2001 FORMER ENGLAND CARETAKER MANAGER PETER TAYLOR SUPPORTS CAMPAIGN FOR NEW GROUND

On the eve of their next vital meeting with Borough Council officials, Chelmsford City have received a massive morale boost to their bid to build a new stadium back in the county town. It comes in the shape of unqualified support for the club from one of the most high profile figures in football in recent months, the former England caretaker manager, Peter Taylor. Taylor was once a City player himself, and in an exclusive interview, to appear in
City's matchday programme, he has pledged to do all he can to support the cause of his former club. He still has strong links with the county and says he has been amazed at the difficulty City appear to have encountered in their ongoing stadium saga. "Chelmsford is the county town of Essex for goodness sake. It's inconceivable the local football team has to play 10 miles away in another town." Recalling some memorable nights at the New Writtle Street ground, Peter goes on to say: "Local people came to support their local team and it created a brilliant atmosphere. The club are looking to recreate those good times again, and I firmly believe they should be given every help and encouragement. As I understand it, this won't just be a
stadium for use by the football club either. The proposed facilities will be available for the continued use of the whole community. Our growing towns need clubs like City who desperately want to move with the times." Taylor willingly autographed several Chelmsford City shirts and footballs, for the club to put up for auction at their dinner/dance in March in order to boost their campaign funds.

A meeting on December 22 2000 between Chelmsford Borough Council and
club officials proved most beneficial, with City now set to re-submit the
original application that was withdrawn earlier this week. A return 'home'
therefore looks on the cards again and the two parties will meet for further
discussions in January.

The future of Chelmsford City is once again in jeopardy after chairman Peter Stroud withdrew the planning application for the club’s proposed new ground at Boreham.

The Council had indicated that they would almost certainly turn down the application anyway, and had refused a meeting whilst the application was active. But now that it’s dead he can see no reason as to why positive dialogue cannot be undertaken.

He has had enough of fighting what he sees as a losing battle and desperately wants the Council to welcome the club back now, before it’s too late.

The next few days will obviously be crucial if City are to continue. This is literally a do or die situation and the likelihood of the club fulfilling its remaining fixtures is hanging in the balance.