St Albans City unveil plans for new 6,000-capacity community stadium

St Albans City have unveiled plans for a new 6,000-capacity home as part of a comprehensive local community development, in a partnership with developer and land-owner CWC Group.
Co-owners Lawrence Levy, John McGowan and stadium manager, Leigh Page, presented the idea to the St Albans District Chamber of Commerce and if the proposal is accepted, the next stage is to receive planning permission
Clarence Park has been St Albans’ home since their formation in 1908 and cannot be developed further.
The National League South side’s new stadium would be situated at Noke Lane.
The developement would include conference and banqueting facilities, an academy and a restaurant and bar, with a target of 2022 for the club to start playing there.
McGowan said: “This is an incredible opportunity not only for the club but the whole community.
“We want to be a thriving element within the City, creating business and employment opportunities along with associated community benefits.
“This is our one opportunity, without this the club has a difficult future and if we pull this off it will be massive not only for the club of course but the whole community.
“We want to be a thriving element within the City, creating business and going forward, on the up.
“I believe it will be a year to eighteen months to go through planning, with the same time frame to get the development through so I’m hoping that by 2022 we will be in a position to be kicking a football on the pitch.”
Page added: “This is certainly the most advanced proposal I’ve ever seen the club put together but more than that, it’s a very compelling case. It’s more than just a football ground, it’s a community hub where we can develop and grow going forward both on and off the field.
“More importantly it’s what it can offer to the district beyond just the football. The football club will be the nucleus of the project and how we drive the development into the future.
“These plans are a clear statement of intent and as I’ve said before, we’re far and away at a more advanced stage of proceedings than we have ever been.
“The council needs to assess the representation put forward by the club and it is our hope that we will be included in the new local district plan.”