Major question mark over stadium plans

COUNCILLORS will decide next week whether or not to back controversial plans to build a community stadium and two new superstores on the edge of York after planners failed to make a recommendation.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th May 2012, 07:00 BST

A report by planning bosses warns the new 6,000-seat ground at Monks Cross is the only way to secure York City’s survival as a full-time club.

However it also says that giving the go-ahead for new Marks & Spencer and John Lewis stores would harm York city centre’s diverting £38m-£95m of business from traders and could potentially undermine investor confidence in a separate regeneration scheme in the city. The report does not make any recommendation to councillors who meet on Thursday to determine the application.

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It means York City go into the first of two Wembley appearances in the space of a week with a major question mark hanging over their future. The team plays Newport County in the FA Trophy final this weekend and next weekend face Luton Town for a chance to get back into the Football League. If the stadium gets the go-ahead, it will provide a new home to both York City and York City Knights rugby league team.

However the city’s Conservation Trust claim that the new stores could cost up to 724 jobs in the city centre.

Related topics:York CityCouncillorsYorkJohn LewisWembleyFootball League