Plymouth Argyle Supporters Board urges city councillors to back stadium plans
The Plymouth Argyle Supporters Board (PASB) is urging all councillors on Plymouth City Council to "support our football club" and back plans for the redevelopment of the grandstand at Home Park.
Despite their concerns over the level of ambition ("many fans would have liked a larger stand built, as would we," they said), the PASB is supporting Plymouth owner and chairman James Brent's ground development initiative, which forms part of wider regeneration proposal for the Higher Home Park area.
The proposals have been submitted to Plymouth City planners ahead of a crucial Council Planning Committee meeting on August 15.
The ambitious £50m scheme for Higher Home Park includes plans for an ice rink, ten-screen cinema, a hotel, shops and restaurants plus a £1.1m-plus redevelopment of Central Park.
The PASB highlights that the grandstand plans would see no cost to Plymouth council tax payers or the club.
In a statement released on the PASB website on Tuesday 6 August, the Supporters Board Chairman, Ed Shillabear said:
"The Plymouth Argyle Supporters Board welcomes the decision to replace the existing grandstand at Home Park as part of the redevelopment of Higher Home Park. The PASB represents supporters from all sections of the fanbase, both organised groups and individual members.
"We welcome the fact the new stand will be financed from the other developments at Higher Home Park and at “no cost” and therefore, no debt to the football club or the City.
"We acknowledge that many fans would have liked a larger stand built, as would we; we see the Grandstand development as of critical importance to the future financial stability of PAFC.
"This is why on 15th August we urge the Planning Committee and all councillors on Plymouth City Council to support our football club. Despite our recent troubles Plymouth Argyle is still the city’s major brand. It is about time our stadium was completed and without a single penny of Council tax payers’ money.
"When people say, not now, later, we say “The time is Now”.
"Lets finish the job."
