Coventry rugby club's departure from their famous old stadium moved a step closer today with the news that property developers have made application to build houses on the site.

Bryant Homes West Midlands Ltd agreed earlier this year to buy the Coundon Road stadium at a price believed to be in the region of £1.2 million.

They have now asked for council permission to demolish all existing buildings and spectator terracing to erect 48 houses and 30 flats with access, parking and landscaping.

The application is expected to go before the city's planning committee next year and permission could be forthcoming within four to six months.

The sale of the ground was approved by the previous regime when the club was deeply in debut and about to call in the Receiver. There was a proviso that the rugby club would be allowed to continue using the stadium until the end of the current season, or even beyond, to give it time to find a new ground.

But they were unsuccessful in their quest and went into receivership at the end of last season.

The rugby club's new owners are pressing ahead with a proposed move to the nearby Butts Stadium, which is owned by the city council and is currently unused.

Keith Fairbrother, chairman of the new club, said:

"Bryant's are following the procedure as we know it to be and it really has nothing to do with us because the ground was sold by the last regime.

"We are looking ahead to the move to a new stadium and we hope to have an announcement to make on that quite soon. The council has been very helpful and we are quite close to signing a heads of agreement."
 

©1995-2000 Coventry Internet Developments Ltd

This page modified on 10 November 2008 09:49:15AM