Backer needed for ground plan (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Backer needed for ground plan

The Adver's front page on SaturdayTHE man holding Swindon Council's purse strings says he cannot see the County Ground being rebuilt unless Swindon finds a major backer.

Coun Nick Martin (Con, Shaw and Nine Elms) is one of the cabinet members of Swindon Council who has seen the plans, which were reported in Saturday's Advertiser.

However, although he cannot disclose what is in the report, he says that any decision to redevelop the County Ground would have to be taken carefully as it would be the council or the club that would have to fund the improvements.

Other sources have suggested that the new plans include building houses on the green land surrounding the County Ground and are similar to plans revealed at the end of last year.

The official line is that the council is examining the viability and legality of the plans, and until that has been assessed only a limited number of people in the council's cabinet and at the football club will see the plans.

Coun Martin said he is a supporter of Swindon Town and wants the team to do well.

But he said: "We have got many responsibilities in the borough such as schools and the central library.

"To my knowledge there is no suggestion that the club no major backer or £20m to spend at the moment, and the council has no policy to do so at this juncture."

In order for the club to fund an improved stadium money would need to be raised. This could come from a backer such as the council or a wealthy third party, as has happened in Reading with John Madejski. The alternative would be for the council and the club to sell off their assets, which could include the land surrounding the County Ground, to developers, who could build houses, a hotel, or other complex.

But Coun Martin also said that, in theory, he would find it hard to be able to justify selling off land. He said: "We could not sell the land off for sports pitch value and then give planning approval for houses." The council has been stung by plans for new stadiums before, and Coun Martin said that developers have often broached the subject of a land deal involving the club.

Town chief executive Sandy Gray has said that she cannot see any stumbling blocks to the development.

The club has said in the past that finding a new home or redeveloping the County Ground is crucial to its survival.

Tom Morton