Full steam ahead for new Scunthorpe United football stadium
Plans have been signed-off today.
Work to build Scunthorpe United's new £25m stadium could get underway in just a matter of weeks after it was given full planning permission by North Lincolnshire Council today.
The 12,000 seater ground will be developed on a 60-acre plot of land on the outskirts of Scunthorpe, near the M181.
It will form part of the £1.2bn Lincolnshire Lakes project, which will also feature a new business park, sports lake and more than 6,000 new homes.
Work on the stadium could start as early as May and could be ready for the start of the 2017/18 season.
The new ground is expected to create between 500 and 700 jobs in construction and future use.
In the longer term, it is hoped a new railway station can also be developed to support the stadium and wider Lakes development.
The new state-of-the-art football stadium will enable the Club to host international events and tournaments.
Peter Swann, United Chairman, said:
“I am delighted to be at this stage and the continued work and help by the council, in getting to this point, has been invaluable. We are at the beginning of a hugely exciting period for Scunthorpe and North Lincolnshire, one which will help to define the area and provide some of the finest football and sports facilities in the country. For us the work begins in earnest and we, here at Scunthorpe United, are very proud to be involved in such an important and defining project, which will regenerate our area.”
Councillor Liz Redfern, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said:
“The new football stadium will act as a catalyst for the whole of the Lincolnshire Lakes project and will set the scene for further development at this site.
“We have been working closely with Scunthorpe United and everyone involved to progress these exciting plans. Today signifies a major milestone and means we can now move forward with plans to build this fantastic venue for football fans.”