Sunday, July 15, 2007

Town council looks at housing scheme for football club

TOWN councillors are discussing the idea of building housing on the Minehead Football Club site, almost a year since The Crier revealed an indicative scheme had been drawn up for redeveloping the area.
The talks follow the on-going issue of the club’s financial position and its inability to pay rent to the council, which owns the Irnham Road recreation ground.
Councillors recognised some residential development of the area might help to
football continued to be played.
They looked at the section of the site which presently housed garages and the clubhouse, and considered the possibility of building a new facility which could include residential units.
Councillor Simon Stokes, who is also deputy leader of West Somerset Council, said the district council might be able to find a developer for the area.
He said in return for sourcing a suitable developer, the garages and clubhouse could be given to the district council, which would enable construction of a purpose-built clubhouse managed by the district authority, which would have the resources to handle it.
Councillor Doug Ross, who is the district council’s finance portfolio holder, agreed with Councillor Stokes and said long-term plans for the site were needed to raise income to support the playing of sports.
Councillor Ross said some residential development would also provide security in the area.
He pointed out the town council had received many complaints about noise and vandalism from residents living near the football club and the council had a responsibility to them to address such problems.
  • Image above shows how The Crier reported on its front page on plans for developing housing on Minehead Football Club's ground in August of last year.

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