From the Ciderspace Archive – 23rd January 2015
A pleasant Friday afternoon was spent in our latest Bedouin tent which had been decked out as an ice-cream parlour. Yeovil fans were invited to have a scoop of this and a scoop of that in any flavour that took their fancy. This of course was the start of the public consultation for the future development of Huish Park. Attractive explanation boards were on display around the tent tempting all those who looked to become excited about the goodies that were on offer.
David Bell, who is acting as the development consultant for the holding company that owns the acreage around the stadium was on hand to advise and explain the various aspects of the new development scheme. David says that he is a long time season ticket holder who first approached John Fry in about February 2014. He says that he had become concerned about the way the planning application for the supermarket was shaping up. He offered his, not inconsiderable experience as an ex-planning officer and now a consultant, to the owners. So while we were being told by Mr Fry that there was only a Plan A and the Council had to grant permission for the superstore, there was in fact an embryo Plan B developing.
Whilst this was a consultation afternoon it seems that some of the proposals are almost a done deal (planning permission apart). The first proposed development is a large retail outlet, of a size that could not be accommodated on any other site in Yeovil. It will of course be The Range owned by Mr Dawson, he of the failed supermarket bid. David Bell assures that Mr Dawson and his team are taking a back seat on the overall development but has agreed some sort of legal agreement for the purchase of the plot. David Bell said that the details were too sensitive to give any further detail. This would inject short term capital into the project.
This capital would then be spent, in full, on the first phase of improvements to Huish Park Stadium. The present home and away dressing rooms would be turned into community dressing rooms to serve those who hire the artificial pitch. The present shop and administration areas would be swept away and new home and away dressing rooms, fit for visiting Man Utd players, would be built. New administration offices would be built together with a state of the art ticketing facility.
When questioned about the lack of transparency between the holding company and YTFC and the possibility that money might not reach the later, Mr Bell assured the questioner that he had entered into an agreement with the Board that all funds would go towards upgrading the Stadium. He further sought to assure that there would be legal conditions inserted in any planning grant that funds raised from sales and leases would have to be spent on upgrading before another phase could begin.
Once phase one was completed other areas of the land would probably be leased out rather than sold and rents charged in order to give a continuing revenue into future years. Suggestions were on the display boards for a 60 bed hotel to be sited on the far side of the Screwfix Stand car park. Another suggestion was a Sports Injury Clinic, a small convenience store (don’t mention a supermarket), a coffee shop and possible small retail units.
Once those were up and running there would be sufficient revenue to turn attentions to the Copse Road (sorry Radio Cabs) Stand. The plan would be to build a two storey structure at the back of the stand and extend its roof over the terracing. It was claimed that terracing would remain, despite a generally understood theory that any development would involve seating. This end would then be the new Home End. The new structure would house a supporters concourse on the ground floor complete with quick queues and TV screens.
Also the ground floor might contain a retail sports outlet that could be extended to take in the club shop. Upstairs a hall could be established. The idea being that when the time comes for away games to be shown live on big screens, several hundred fans could be accommodated , wined and dined, beer on tap. When questioned about the restrictive covenant regarding the extension of alcohol facilities Mr Bell said that the present refreshment marquee (the beer tent) would be swept away. He stated that the marquee had just been granted a five year extension, indicating that these new developments would not be coming any time soon.
Further little plans to upgrade the tea bars, re-position the floodlights along the tops of the side stands, extra bits of car parking, improved road entrance and exits and a new office for the Manager were thrown in for good measure.
On the question of a patch of land for alternative pitches which caused the club so much heartache during the supermarket application it seems it was under their nose all along. Mr Bell identified a patch of land near Lufton College which it seems he has secured for at least two football pitches, a possible cricket pitch, a picnic area and a jogging track/play area.
The plan in general is to make Huish Park a seven day a week facility. This of course was only consultation and there may have to be an amendment or ten before a planning application can be submitted. Mr Bell has been talking to the Council planning officers (which is certainly more progress than last time) and is hopeful to make an application in February or March 2015. He is also hopeful that a decision will be made by Autumn of the same year! He is believes that the Council will not take too much notice of the regulations governing out of town retail development because of the community benefits and thought that if it was called in by the Minister he in turn would say that this was a purely local issue and not of national importance.
There you have it, don’t hold your breath!