Corals reject new use for Greyhound stadium

[Storer68]

From the BBC..................

Owners of a site suggested for Brighton and Hove Albion's new home have rejected the idea of it becoming a football ground.
Brighton Greyhound Stadium was put forward by John Prescott as one of eight sites to be investigated when an inquiry into the stadium plans reopens.

Using the greyhound track had been suggested when the club Goldstone Ground was sold.

Now owners Coral have said they want to keep the venue operating as it is.


Ongoing plans

The deputy prime minister had been due to rule on whether a 22,000-seater ground could be built on land at Falmer near Brighton following a public inquiry.

But on Tuesday he announced the inquiry would reopen to investigate alternative sites for the ground.

The eight sites which are to be considered in the fresh inquiry are Brighton Station; Brighton Greyhound Stadium; Shoreham Harbour; Sheepcote Valley; Toad's Hole Valley; Waterhall; the Withdean stadium and Falmer.

But now Coral, which owns the greyhound track in Nevill Road, Hove, has said in a statement: "The continued operation of the venue as a premier greyhound stadium is fundamental to ongoing plans."

The Seagulls have been without a permanent home since the Goldstone Ground closed seven years ago and have played at the Withdean stadium - an athletics track in the city - since 1999.


Albion were promoted to the Championship - the new name for the former Division One - through the play-offs in May, when about 30,000 Brighton fans headed to Cardiff for the final.

 

[Fluffster]

Another one eliminated. FALMER FOR ALL!

 

[Marc]

Along with Brighton Station thats a definate two out then. Shoreham Harbour is pretty much with them as should be sheepcote due to the landfill (but it seems to still be branded about lots)

 

[Mendoza]

i live on that road, and only about 400/500 people go there, and that cause enough traffic caos in the area.

sheepcoat valley is the same, i play at a five a side league there on monday nights, and the mayhem caused by the 200 or so people that play there is mad, so 22000 is just ridiculous

 

[Fluffster]

Waterhall was ruled out by the planning inspectors too, and the Withdean can't be redeveloped either.

 

[m20gull]

Withdean can't be redeveloped to hold 22,000, that's true.

 

[Easy 10]

One by one the other options are falling...this road is leading to one inevitable destination.

Hope the champagne doesn't go too flat for them.

 

[Mendoza]

we've ruled out 5 of them

see its easy, Falmer has to be the one site in brighton

 

[REDLAND]

This is gonna be dusted by the time i get back off holiday

Splendid !!

 

[Vlad the Impala]

But according to Collyer: "There is evidence that football supporters are not entirely reluctant to walk anything up to between 6km and 8km to matches; according to my calculations Sheepcote Valley is comfortably within that range from Brighton Station."

Time to get the disabled and the elderly on our side, methinks. Surely he should say "some football supporters."

 

[sully]

But according to Collyer: "There is evidence that football supporters are not entirely reluctant to walk anything up to between 6km and 8km to matches; according to my calculations Sheepcote Valley is comfortably within that range from Brighton Station."

He's having a laugh, isn't he? Where did he pluck that gem from?

 

[The Magician]

How long will it take to officially discard each of the suggested 7 sites? The public inquiry hasn't even re-convened yet.

6 months? You are seriously having a laugh.

 

[tainan]

Can't say I'd be too keen to walk 6+ km to the ground when its p***ing it down with rain on a winter evening.

 

[Safeway]

But according to Collyer: "There is evidence that football supporters are not entirely reluctant to walk anything up to between 6km and 8km to matches; according to my calculations Sheepcote Valley is comfortably within that range from Brighton Station."

For f***'s sake. Six to eight kilometres is a good hour's walk. Like f*** do most people want to be doing that.

Utterly ridiculous.

 

[Ex-Staffs Gull]

6-8k.

Ok, a nice sunny afternoon with plenty of time, but ...

My 4 year old boy would not be able to walk it. The elderly, infirm or disabled would not be able to do it. And this is pleasant conditions. Add to that the cold weather and rain, people would not do it, rather like a school run. Evening kick offs, travelling support would have no choice but to arrive at the latest 6.30, and that is assume a good level of fitness.

Now we move on to dark nights and back from any game in the winter. Women on their own would not be safe walking back that distance IMHO. It would be a known route, as would all the ideal points for assults on people making the route.

Which brings me nicely on to the route. It would be a known route and an accepted route for up to 22,000 people to use, if going from the station to sheepcoats valley, WOULD take you through many residential areas. Police do not allow protest marches of that size or even 10% of that size through these araeas, and people would have to be consulted and have the chance to raise objections.

For all those reasons, a large distance (over 1km by foot) IMHO does not constitute sustainable transportation....

 

[ditchy]

For f***'s sake. Six to eight kilometres is a good hour's walk. Like f*** do most people want to be doing that.

Utterly ridiculous.

Whats wrong with you fuddy duddys when i wasa lad it was 6-8 miles wheres ya spirit of adventure