Simons Development Ltd to look at the viability of a new community football stadium and retail complex for Grimsby.
An area of publicly-owned land in Grimsby is being considered for a future leisure complex that could see the development of a community football stadium and retail facility at an area close to the town centre.
At a meeting of North East Lincolnshire Council’s cabinet on Monday, July 9, members agreed that Simons Developments Limited will, over the next 12 months, investigate the viability of developing the 22.7 hectares site, which is a located next to Peaks Parkway. The site sits between Peaks Parkway and Weelsby Avenue and is currently mainly green space, redundant council buildings and allotments.
Over the coming months, Simons Development Ltd will work alongside Grimsby Town Football Club to investigate the viability of the site for the development of a new retail facility and also to accommodate a community stadium capable of supporting both the professional game and also community sports use.
Councillor Mick Burnett, portfolio holder for tourism and culture, said: “The cabinet at this stage have agreed to provide Simons with a period of exclusivity with regard to the land at Peaks Parkway, enabling a detailed assessment into the commercial viability of this scheme to take place. This decision does not commit the council to any sale of the land and of course any decisions will be subject to planning consent and full consultation. It is vitally important that any proposal coming forward ensures that full consideration is given to the surrounding facilities.
“It is an exciting opportunity and we are pleased to be working with Simons who have a fantastic reputation for developing high quality retail developments that create both employment and economic growth.”
Luke Pickering, on behalf of Simons Developments, said: “Simons Developments are very pleased that NELC have agreed to provide us with the opportunity to investigate the viability of developing the site on Peaks Parkway for a retail development and a community stadium. The site is an excellent one for development with a very prominent frontage to one of the major roads and the fact that it has the support of NELC is important in enabling us to attract a major food store.
“We are delighted to be working with John Fenty and GTFC who have shown a high degree of professionalism and determination to achieve their stated aim of having a community stadium for the 21st Century.
“Simons Developments are a long established Lincolnshire based company with an excellent track record of delivering major development projects throughout the country.”
Director of Grimsby Town FC John Fenty, expressed his delight, saying: “The formalisation of this partnership, which follows three years of working with the council in an attempt to procure a sustainable relocation for the Grimsby Town Football Club PLC away from Blundell Park, is a breath of fresh air.
“The objective is to create a community stadium complex serving future generations with the intention of building on the club’s massively successful community programmes such as ‘Football in the Community’, raising self-esteem in young people, tackling obesity and smoking.
“Naturally it’s not a done deal as there are issues to resolve such as planning permission and closing the funding gaps etc, but it’s a site which is owned by the council and that in itself is helpful.
“The proposed location sits centrally between Grimsby and Cleethorpes and offers good access by foot, public transport and car. Congestion of the roads should not be an issue as programmed football matches fall outside of the time when there is peak traffic flows.
“This site is not without complexities and substantial consideration has been given to the location and its relationship to the crematorium. The club are well used to supporting families through difficult times when they have lost loved ones and realise the potential sensitivity of the matter and will do all that it can in this regard to protect peace and tranquillity of scheduled services.
“Football fixtures do not clash with crematorium operations and this project has the potential to help address current issues of accessibility and parking during services with potentially new site access and additional parking provision.”
Simons Development Ltd will report back to North East Lincolnshire Council’s cabinet with their findings during the next 12 months.