Views wanted on multi-million pound football club plans (From The Advertiser Series)

Plans for new ground for Crook Town AFC go on show

1:53pm Monday 22nd October 2012 in News By Dani Webb, Chief Reporter (South Durham)

PUBLIC opinion is being sought on multi-million pound plans by a football club to move to a new ground.

Crook Town Football Club is looking to relocate to a 4,000 capacity stadium within the town and leaving the existing Sir Tom Cowie Millfield Ground to be redeveloped to accommodate a 40,000 sq ft food store and petrol filling station, potential creating up to 200 jobs.

Fans and residents are being given the opportunity to put forward their views at St Catherine’s Community Centre, in South Street, Crook, on Thursday (October 25), between noon and 7pm.

The plans, which are subject to planning permission, include a new public-use gym, modern training facilities, two Sport England standard five-a-side football pitches for community use and parking for 120 vehicles. Three sites are being considered for the new stadium and Stockton-based developer, Jomast, is currently in discussion with Durham County Council.

Kieron Bennett, chairman of Crook Town AFC, said: “The proposed redevelopment could help to secure the long term future of the football club and provide us as well as the local community with much improved sports and commercial facilities that are long overdue.

“We hope that supporters and the local community will fully get behind the scheme and help us to achieve it.

“As one of the oldest clubs in the league, it is not only success on the pitch but also commercial success off the pitch that matters. Therefore the proposals, if granted, will without doubt bring a real boost to the club, its supporters and the local community and guarantee our survival for many years to come.”

Graham Wilson, development director at Jomast, added: "The proposals will have far reaching benefits for the local and wider communities and provide the area with enhanced retail and social facilities and new employment opportunities.

“This event will allow members of the public to personally view details of the scheme, offer their opinions and fully get behind it so we are encouraging as many people as possible to attend.”

A planning application is expected to be submitted early next year.