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GREEN LIGHT FOR STADIUM SITE SEARCH

Posted on: Wed 17 Mar 2010

The project to bring a new Community Stadium to Wycombe has taken an important step forward with partners Wycombe District Council (WDC), Wycombe Wanderers and London Wasps announcing a 'Collaboration Agreement'.

The partners will now assess a series of potential sites for a new stadium and associated sports and leisure facilities which could see a new Sports Village built in the District. Technical assessments of sites will begin shortly with viability and suitability studies expected to take approximately 12 months.

Subject to identifying a suitable and deliverable site, WDC would take forward an alteration to its strategic plan (the Core Strategy) so that the project would then see the partners bringing forward a planning application for a new shared stadium, keeping both Clubs in the District and representing a substantial joint investment in sports and community facilities.

The Collaboration Agreement will see WDC working with Wycombe Sports Developments Limited (WSDL), a special purpose vehicle created to carry forward the vision for a new stadium.

Lesley Clarke, Leader of WDC, said: "Wycombe Wanderers and Wasps are fantastic assets for Wycombe - they contribute a huge amount to the community and to the success of our town and the District.We believe that it is right to invest in them and in our community through this site search project.This is about taking an important and sensible step to see how aspirations for a new stadium and community sports facilities can be delivered."

Steve Hayes, Owner of Wycombe Wanderers and Wasps, said: "Wycombe Wanderers and Wasps are outstanding clubs and we want to give them every chance of success.That means developing what we do both on and off the pitch, improving the infrastructure at the clubs and building a sustainable future in Wycombe. That's good for the clubs, good for the fans, and good for Wycombe.

"This study will help us to understand what's possible.Once we know that, we can build towards our vision for the successful future of these clubs in this town, expanding our outreach work and really making a difference for the community we serve."

The Collaboration Agreement will see both WDC and WSDL investing up to £250,000 each.This structure has been chosen to provide a clear and appropriate budget for completing the investigatory work.

How any potential site is brought forward for redevelopment for the new Community Stadium and potential Sports Village would be subject to further discussions and significant public consultation.

The partners' vision for a new Community Stadium and potential Sports Village is driven by a series of important objectives: -

- Raising the quality and breadth of community sports and leisure facilities in the town - new facilities at the Sports Village would be publicly accessible and provide a real asset to encourage local people to participate and engage in sport, bringing important health and education benefits.

- Creating a new home for the Clubs and a new Community Stadium and Sports Village supports WDC's ongoing investment into the town - this is about making Wycombe a successful and attractive place where people enjoy living, working and spending their leisure time.

- Investment in a new, modern and better-equipped stadium will retain Wasps in the District and help to sustain Wycombe Wanderers.

- A new, modern and enlarged ground would help the Clubs to expand their commercial activities on both match and non match days - adding new revenue streams (eg through even better facilities for conferences and events) will support the financial performance and continued success of both Clubs.More commercial success for the Clubs would deliver more economic benefits for Wycombe.

- Improved infrastructure for both Clubs will help them to continue and expand their effective Community and Youth programmes, delivering significant benefits for Wycombe and for the clubs.

The site assessment studies will look at a number of sites within the District.Key criteria include that any site should be within the District, accessible, and of an appropriate size to support the range of facilities that are required for successful modern day sports stadia.

The partners will make further announcements on the site assessment studies and next steps. Public consultation is planned at key stages so that the community can input to and help to shape the proposals. The first of these is programmed for this Autumn.

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