CONTROVERSIAL CITY COUNCIL BID TO BUY SALFORD RED DEVILS STADIUM TO BE REVIEWED

The controversial move to buy the Salford Red Devils’ stadium by the city council is set to be reviewed at a special scrutiny meeting on Wednesday (August 23).

Salford mayor Paul Dennett says the future of the 150-year-old rugby league club and the city’s rugby league heritage can only be safeguarded if the authority takes total control of the stadium.

Currently, the city council are 50-50 joint owners of the stadium, its two training pitches and car park with property giant Peel.

But the move is fiercely opposed by Conservative members on the authority, led by Councillor Robin Garrido.

His request for the cabinet resolution that the city council becomes sole owners to be ‘called in’ – the process under which major decisions are scrutinised and reviewed – has been granted by the borough solicitor, Iolanda Puzio.

In his submission to the growth and prosperity scrutiny panel Councillor Garrido says that ‘an expenditure of many millions of pounds’ would be required to buy the stadium, or shares of what will be known as the City of Salford Community Stadium (COSCOS).

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“There is no evidence of the stadium itself producing the estimated 750 jobs,” he said. “These would be provided from the future development and sale of the surrounding land which would not be included in the purchase of the stadium.

“The benefits of purchasing/owning the stadium cannot be considered proportionate to the projected results of the stadium itself.”

 

The city council’s move has been forced by Peel’s desire to exit the joint arrangement which saw the stadium built in 2009/10. 

As well as being the home to the Red Devils, the ground is also used by Sale Sharks RUFC.

In advance of Wednesday’s meeting Mr Dennett has told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS):

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“I want to stress that our in-principle commitment to take full ownership and control of the stadium is based on the council’s original vision to provide a truly community asset, support our historic rugby league team and provide demonstrable social value for the city.

“The proposals would secure the council’s long-term interests in any future redevelopment and regeneration of the stadium site, adjacent land and the surrounding area of key growth including the inland tri-modal port (Port Salford) which will play a regional role in economic development and future prosperity, offering rail and water links for freight and goods. “

 

The mayor said that there had already been ‘significant benefits’ with 240 jobs, £30m of infrastructure and £18.45m of social value.

He added.

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“We anticipate in the future 709 jobs, £65m of private sector investment, gross development value of more than £90m, £1.2m of business rates a year and £28m of social value.”

“These are opportunities we do not want to squander.”