Stadium for Cornwall team "disappointed" after no funding in Chancellor's budget
Backers are hoping for a later grant from the government's 'levelling-up' fund
The team behind the Stadium for Cornwall have said they are disappointed that Chancellor Rishi Sunak did not pledge any funding for the project in his autumn budget.
There had been hopes that the stadium – which would provide a new permanent home for the Cornish Pirates and Truro City Football Club at Langarth – might have been included in the budget announcements.
Stadium backers, which include the two sports clubs as well as Truro and Penwith College, are hoping that the government will provide up to £14million for the scheme.
A new sports concussion unit has also been added to the proposals which it was hoped could secure the funding to get the project off the ground.
However while the Chancellor did single out funding for sports projects such as the women’s world cup and Tour de France depart there was no mention of the Stadium for Cornwall.
The detailed documents published following the Chancellor’s statement also revealed there was no funding for the project. The Stadium for Cornwall said that it was still hoping that the Government will commit to providing funding.
In a statement the Stadium for Cornwall team said: "The Stadium for Cornwall team is disappointed not to be singled out for an immediate capital grant of £14m to start to build the much sought after Stadium and its world-class sports concussion unit.
"However, we continue to work with Government on delivering their ‘Levelling Up’ agenda, and anticipate a later funding package allowing swift development as part of the £2.6 billion announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund over the life of this Spending Review.
"We are heartened by the announcement of £30m support for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025 and the Tour de France Depart in 2026 and we will be bidding to be a showcase venue for these tours.
"With the effects of sports concussion being highlighted on BBC Breakfast this morning, men, women and children playing within our stadium and around Cornwall, will be provided with immediate health benefits and a safer, more enjoyable experience".
Stadium for Cornwall chairman Martin Tucker added: "I would like to thank everyone across Cornwall and beyond who has worked tirelessly over many years to reach this point. We have an innovative new project and an energetic new team with the exact qualities sought by the Chancellor.
"We are in constant communication with the Government and are excited at the prospect of getting this over the line in the near future.
"Work will begin immediately to bring Truro City Football Club back to Truro, alongside continuing discussions to secure the final tranche of funding which will allow us to host international sporting events in Cornwall alongside the consistent delivery of education, employment and health services to the people of Cornwall".
Cornish Pirates chairman Paul Durkin was reported earlier this week saying that if the Government did not commit to the £14m funding then a smaller stadium could be built.
The fully funded plan would deliver a stadium with a 10,000 capacity but plans are already in place for a 6,000-capacity ground.
Mr Durkin told BBC Sport: “There is funding there to put a smaller stadium up with temporary stands and things like that which would hold 6,000.
"But that will not survive long term, that doesn’t work, but it’s something that we could build on providing we were able to get confirmation that further funding was available".