oafcprozac Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Land deal turned down Promotion-chasing Oldham Athletic’s plans for a new stadium appear to have been kicked into the long grass after a bombshell ruling. Latics’ chief executive Alan Hardy said the club is “bitterly disappointed” after the Charity Commission turned down plans to swap Oldham Council land next to Failsworth Lower Memorial Park to make way for the new £20 million stadium. The commission blames Oldham Council for weak consultation over the plans to exchange the charitable trust land, off Broadway, with new sites in Failsworth, to make way for the stadium. It says conflicts of interest were not properly managed. The blow leaves the 115-year old club playing in a three-sided ground with no foreseeable chance of moving on. Mr Hardy said the club was considering ‘all options’ but added: “One thing for certain is the long term future is not really at Boundary Park as it is now. “But where else is there? Find me a 30 acre site — there isn’t one in Oldham. “Our objective has always been, and remains, to provide a solution to the long term future of Oldham Athletic. “Boundary Park cannot provide that, and it would appear that yet another genuine opportunity to cement that future has passed Oldham by. “Having waited patiently for many months for an outcome to this lengthy and frustrating process, we are not only shocked by this outcome, but bitterly disappointed. “Everything was bouyant - we had a terrific run of results, particularly after Tuesday’s magnificent victory, then the fans are hit with this bombshell.” He said the club would be taking legal advice, but declined to say whether it would take action against the council. Oldham Council Cabinet member, Councillor John McCann, said the authority was disappointed and ‘urgently considering’ detailed information in the commission’s ruling. He added: “There are several options open to us. We are examining the merits of each potential approach and we will make a public announcement as soon as we have made a final decision. “One of those options is to appeal this decision which means it would be inappropriate for us to comment further on the matter at this stage.” Labour leader and Failsworth Councillor Jim McMahon accused the Liberal Democrat-Conservative council leadership of railroading plans through without listening to local concerns. He added: “Having a viable football club is essential for the confidence of the borough, but this whole process has been littered with flaws. “The role of individual councillors should be investigated because it is clear members have not acted in the interests of the trust.” But chairman of the Failsworth Residents’ Action Group,. Alan Shaw, said the Commission’s ruling was ‘great news’ and added: “We’ll be discussing this at our regular meetings tonight.” Timeline of ground plans THE history of Oldham Athletic’s redevelopment plans date back over three decades: 1994: Plans begin for a joint Oldham Athletic/Rugby League Club stadium. 1997: The Sports Park 2000 plan to swop Boundary Park for Clayton Playing Fields and redevelop Latics is revealed. 2000: The plan is dropped by incoming Liberal Democrat councillors. 2005: Oldham Athletic drop proposals to move to Ferney Field Farm in Chadderton. 2007: Planning permission is given in December for Oldham Athletic plans to redevelop Boundary Park, with a hotel, new stands, conference suite and a new housing development. 2008: The Broadway stand is demolished but the plans stall. 2009: In July, the club and council reveals plans for the Failsworth stadium By Autumn protesters say the land was paid for by the War Memorial Committee and is a trust, as a residents petition and action group is set up. 2010: In March the Charity Commission fails to make up its mind about the trust land. Latics Director Simon Corney says the council is dragging its feet. The council declares a trust, and is finally backed by the Charity Commission. By June 2010 consultation starts on the councils plans to swap the trust land to other Failsworth sites. In August the Council’s special Trust sub committee — Jack Hulme, and Mohammed Masud — votes to transfer the land to Warwick Road and Vale Lane. 2011: The Charity Commission refuses to agree to the transfer Chron We're now entering a game of political ping-pong I believe, whilst very little gets done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankly Mr Shankly Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 But chairman of the Failsworth Residents' Action Group,. Alan Shaw, said the Commission's ruling was 'great news' and added: "We'll be discussing this at our regular meetings tonight." What an absolute cock. He means "We'll be gloating about it at our regular meetings round at Brian's house" in other words. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edhunteruk Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 What an absolute cock. He means "We'll be gloating about it at our regular meetings round at Brian's house" in other words. thats his perogative,as he and his cronies dont want a stadium in the first place....would you be doing exactly the same had the decision gone our way???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankly Mr Shankly Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 thats his perogative,as he and his cronies dont want a stadium in the first place....would you be doing exactly the same had the decision gone our way???? Nooo, you're not supposed to say that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dish Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 meeting at the millgate. like they cared about the intentions of the charity, just used it as a method to objecting to the stadium..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy_Fent Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 reading the comments reminds me why I don't read the Chron website anymore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Scratch2000uk Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 The land is probably earmarked for the next mosque application.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slurms mckenzie Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 (edited) Quote from comment on Chron: "Find me a 30 acre site in Oldham" Latics Chief Exec Alan Hardy pleads - stand at Moorside looking towards Oldham Edge & Shaw and all will be revealed Can anyone argue with this? I would say (a purely personal point of view) that from the latics fans I know and speak to, the comments on the Chron website are more representative than those found on OWTB. Edited February 3, 2011 by slurms mckenzie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fanakapan Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Quote from comment on Chron: Can anyone argue with this? I would say (a purely personal point of view) that from the latics fans I know and speak to, the comments on the Chron website are more representative than those found on OWTB. The Oldham Koranicle is a joke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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