FC United submits stadium plan
FC UNITED of Manchester has submitted a planning application for its 5,000-capacity community stadium in Moston.
The application was submitted after the club said that it received support for the development, as well as some objections over potential noise and parking problems around the proposed site at Ronald Johnson Fields.
Some residents had also expressed concern over the potential impact on housing values at properties on nearby St Mary’s Road.
“There has been some opposition to the proposal from residents, mostly regarding parking and noise,” said Andy Walsh, FC United’s general manager.
“But we have worked hard to address these concerns in our plans and if we get permission to build we will prove to residents that we are determined to be good neighbours.
“For example, our submission includes proposals on a sustainable travel plan, including park and ride and park and walk schemes.
“We have also found a lot of support for the development among Moston residents who would welcome the additional community amenities our development would bring.”
FC United’s proposal for the site include a 5,000 capacity stadium, community changing facilities, classrooms, a function space for community bookings and extra community pitches, representing a total investment of around £3.5m.
The organisation said that it was working with Moston Juniors FC, which currently plays on the site, about how the two organisations will work together if permission is granted as well as speaking to the Charities Commission on using part of the site that is covered by a charitable covenant.
It has already undertaken drop-in sessions and leaflet drops to more than 10,000 local households but will now begin a formal consultation process with residents prior to the council hearing its application, which is likely to be in September.
FC United had previously planned to build a 15,000-seat stadium with community facilities at nearby Ten Acres Lane in Newton Heath, but this had to be abandoned in March after Manchester City Council pulled its pledged £650,000 of funding from the project following significant government cuts to its own budget.
