FWP forges plan for the Iron’s new £25m stadium
THE Frank Whittle Partnership (FWP) has submitted its vision to create a £25m state-of-the-art stadium for Scunthorpe United to planners.
The striking 12,000 capacity all-seater ground is part of the masterplan for an out-of-town football and leisure development created by FWP’s architecture and design team for the club on a site near its present Glanford Park ground.
The planning application is expected to go before North Lincolnshire councillors in April. If it is approved work will start on the development as soon as possible.
The overall FWP plan also includes a 100-bed hotel, a multi-use indoor arena, community sports pitches and, potentially, indoor and outdoor bowling facilities.
The new home for the League One side, expected to cost in the region of £18m, would have club and executive facilities, a gym, office space and areas for commercial development as well as a club venue and
supporters’ bar.
A sweeping curve on the main stand designed by FWP is enhanced by a striking truss which pays homage to Scunthorpe’s steelwork history – the club is nicknamed The Iron.
David Robinson, managing partner at FWP, which has offices in Preston and Manchester, said: “We have worked very hard with the club to create a vibrant and modern development that will be a real asset to the community and the local economy.
“The proposed development aims to provide a real destination venue for sport, leisure and entertainment for the whole of the local community, with real benefits for the club and its supporters.
“The aim is develop modern facilities that will be used by members of the community seven days a week, throughout the year, something we believe is vitally important for modern day sports venues to provide.
“The football stadium we are proposing is really special and the design, with its sweeping curves is striking.
“It will provide the club and its fans with fantastic facilities and we’ve designed the stands to ensure the supporters are close to the action on the pitch, adding to the atmosphere and the match day experience.
“The plan will deliver a vibrant, modern new home for Scunthorpe United and its supporters.
“There is no doubt that this development will be of major benefit not only to the club and its fans but also to the whole community.”
FWP has a wealth of experience designing and masterplanning community sports developments of all sizes across the UK.
More than 60 sports clubs throughout the country have benefitted from FWP’s advice and it has worked on projects with Preston North End and Fleetwood Town and is developing stadia and community assets for clubs such as Oldham Athletic, FC United of Manchester, Peterborough United and Berwick Rangers.
It is also behind an ambitious plan to create an £18m mixed-use development on the outskirts of Kirkham in Lancashire, which includes a new ground for ambitious non-league football club AFC Fylde.
