Below is an overview of the joint presentation given by Leamington FC (LFC) and Warwick District Council (WDC) officials at the club on Thursday evening.
Paddy Herlihy, Programme Manager - WDC Cultural Services, presented an overview of the wider ‘Europa Way Strategic Opportunity’ that they are focused upon delivering, inclusive of the Community Stadium Project and full details of which will be presented to Council Members for decision on 28 November.
He outlined how a new spine road will run through the development from the junction of Olympus Way/Europa Way, along the front of the proposed ‘Community Stadium’ site crossing over Gallows Hill and returning to Europa Way at a point a point near the Tachbrook stream.
He further explained how land to the north of the proposed stadium site previously identified for a secondary school and further educational use has been freed up for alternative use through the relocation of the school to a proposed new site off Oakley Wood Road, near Bishops Tachbrook. He stated that WDC plan to relocate the ageing Edmondscote Athletics Track to the freed up land area inclusive of a new sports pavilion and next to a new primary school plus a Special Needs School relatively close to the existing Round Oak School. He advised that opportunities were also being explored for use of grass pitches connected to the new schools and potentially also Myton School for use by Leamington FC.
He stated that a key objective of WDC was to ensure viability and sustainability of all facilities through dual usage. He advised that key to allowing opportunities to be maximised has been the agreement of the route of the new spine road for which outline planning permission has been granted.
He advised that on the enabling development area to the south of the stadium site and abutting Gallows Hill will be a car showroom and a hotel with scope for further development to the north of that for perhaps residential housing and a care home. Revenues being generated from the sale of land are anticipated to meet the cost of building the Community Stadium. He added that WDC have secured an option agreement on the listed farmhouse buildings located between the stadium site and enabling development area and advised it is proposed to create a community neighbourhood and retail area possibly inclusive of a GP’s Surgery.
He added that it is proposed to create pedestrian access from these new developments onto the Warwick Technology Park at a point between the stadium and farmhouse adding that consideration was also being given to exploring the opportunity to create additional road access at that point.
He briefly outlined proposals for expanding the currently planned Country Park plus additionally adjusting its alignment in the Bishops Tachbrook area in light of the new proposed secondary school. He added that the relocation of the Edmondscote Athletics track would provide an opportunity to create a riverside park linking from Victoria Park through to Warwick.
Russell Davis, Director from LFC then outlined activity thus far with regard to the proposed new stadium and proposals for the future progress. He advised there is a strong indication of interest from NHS SWFT in having space within the stadium for services as physiotherapy and podiatry and general health provision. The aim is to create a health and well being hub with the proposed inclusion of a gym and other complimentary recreations such as dance and aerobics. He added that the stadium would include a sports bar, cafe and some conferencing facilities. He advised that early indications were of considerable commercial interest in the project. He advised that the stadium pitch would be an artificial surface to maximise community use.
He outlined the project timetable highlighting that LFC shareholders would be consulted following the updating of the Business Plan scheduled for March-May, 2019. He stated that work would commence in December on soft market testing for what will be included within the stadium based on best value and fit. He further added that shareholders would likely be further consulted on completion of the detailed Technical Design (Spring/August 2020 – RIBA stage 4). He added that completion of the Stadium was projected to be April 2022, with an opening ceremony in May/June 2022.
He advised that the Stadium Project will be overseen by a steering group/stadium board comprising of three officials from WDC and three from LFC plus a Council Members Working Group.
Click on the link below to view proposals and recommendations being considered by Council Members at the Town Hall on 28 November:
