New Stadium Plans Approved!

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 13/12/2002

A final piece in the new stadium planning jigsaw was put in place today after planning inspectors gave the nod to NELC's amendment to the local plan, which approves the stadium in principle, and confirmed the Great Coates site to be the only acceptable location within the county.

It is over two years since NELC infamously turned down the Mariner's stadium plans, since when it has taken until today for the plans to be even approved of in principle. How long it is before the new ground is actually built is the million dollar question, but some answers might become clearer after next week's AGM.

Chairman Peter Furneaux will be meeting developers next week to discuss where to go next: "We have informed our developer, Gerald Knight, and we will be meeting him next week", he told the Grimsby Telegraph.

"Quite a lot of time has elapsed since the plan was originally put forward, so we have to make sure all the pieces of the jigsaw are still in place."

NELC have still to rubber stamp the formal planning permission itself for the new ground, but the report's receipt is a huge milestone towards that decision, as Andy Gutherson, head of development and environmental protection at NELC, observed: "Now that the inspector's report has been received, I would envisage the council seeking an early resolution to the granting of planning permission."

What happens next? Readers may find some clues in Ground to a Halt.

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