Latics get the land for £20m stadium

OLDHAM Athletic’s plans to relocate to a £20 million stadium in Failsworth have moved a step closer following Oldham Council Cabinet’s decision to lease the club public land.

The land, at Lower Memorial Park and Broadway Allotments, will now be transferred to Latics to build a 12,000 seater stadium, so long as the club buys the neighbouring Lancaster Club and gets detailed planning permission.

The club has an agreement with BAE Systems to buy the Grade II listed Lancaster Club and use it for an indoor 3G pitch.

Boundary Park will be sold to a developer to build family houses, the proceeds paying for the 30-acre redevelopment of the land off Broadway.

The club says it is haemorrhaging money in a crumbling stadium and must move to become financially viable.

Its new site will also include two football pitches, a soccer dome featuring ten five-a-side pitches, a sporting rehabilitation centre and conferencing facilities.

It’s hoped the stadium will be ready for the 2011-12 season — if a buyer for Boundary Park is found.

Failsworth Dynamos Football Club had a written commitment to lease and develop the park land but Latics chiefs hope to appease them by offering use of the new facilities. Broadway Allotment holders will also be offered compensation and new plots.

Architects will now be commissioned to draw up more detailed plans with an application expected before the planning committee by the end of 2009.