Move is a must
Published 7 Apr 2011 09:30
17 Comments
STAYING at Central Park is now "not an option" if Cowdenbeath FC is to survive.
The club has now taken an important step towards realising ambitious proposals intended to support the regeneration of the town centre while safeguarding the future of the club.
And they are giving fans and the general public the chance to back the plan by signing a petition.
The two-part proposal would see Central Park (the home of Cowdenbeath FC since 1917) and the surrounding area re-developed and the football club relocated to a new fit-for-purpose community stadium at the south west end of the town.
The Central Park area has been identified in the Fife Council's Mid Fife Local Plan as a key area for the physical and economic regeneration of Cowdenbeath.
Following discussions with Fife Council and recent public consultation events, a formal application has now been submitted for planning permission relating to phase one, which would see a superstore, small retail units and housing built on the current Central Park site.
The aim is to regenerate the area, create jobs and boost the local economy.
The receipts from the Central Park redevelopment would cross-fund the delivery of a new community football stadium.
A formal application is expected to follow in the coming months. Donald Findlay QC, chairman of Cowdenbeath Football Club (pictured), told Times Online this week, "Staying at Central Park in the long-term is not an option.
"The sustainable future of the club is dependant on relocating to a purpose-built and income-generating-facility within Cowdenbeath.
"This is a key part of our vision and the proposal will safeguard the future of the football club as a community asset. It will also ensure a positive legacy from the redevelopment of Central Park for the people of Cowdenbeath."
Scott Brewster, a director, Cowdenbeath Football Club and a director of Innovate (Cowdenbeath) Ltd, who are driving the plans, said, "The funding of the project will come primarily from the redevelopment of Central Park.
"The Brewsters, as the owners of the ground, will have to be repaid their initial investment, but the surplus funds, along with external funding, will go towards the new facility."
The plans for the new stadium are at an early stage but a site in the Broad Street area of the town, opposite the Woodend Business Centre, has been identified by Fife Council and Cowdenbeath FC, as the preferred location.
The detail will be subject to further community consultation to ensure that the new facility meets the needs of the local community and a progressive football club in the 21st Century.
This article appeared in Central Fife Times 07 Apr 11
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Jim Thomson
Unregistered User
Apr 7, 12:43
Report commentSounds like a scare tactic to prevent the planning for the Vico development to go through. What exactly has changed in the past few weeks or months to make it 'not an option' to stay at Central Park?
The planning application for the redevelopment of Central Park has been turned down time and time again. There is no access possible from the High Street, and the latest planning report has said the proposed service access from King St/Rowan Terrace isn't possible. The only option for a supermarket in Cowdenbeath is at the North End Park, and it would be a travesty if the town misses out on that supermarket because of newspaper articles like this trying to derail those plans. And to please who? A home crowd of less than 150 fans this week!
The money keeping Cowdenbeath FC afloat is the income from the stock cars, everyone knows that. Selling off Central Park and giving the Brewsters their investment back doesn't leave a lot of money to build a new stadium, and the loss of income from no stock cars would bring about the quick demise of the club in my opinion. Surely if there's "external funding" why not use that to improve Central Park, it would be much cheaper, and let Cowdenbeath have the development on the High Street the town deserves.
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David
Unregistered User
Apr 9, 11:28
Report commentThe new stadium incorporates a stock car racing track in it's design.
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chris
Unregistered User
Apr 13, 09:26
Report commentThere surely is not a worse location in Cowdenbeath for a supermarket than North End Park.The traffic congestion would be horrendous and there is no room for expansion.
Cowdenbeath FC do not receive any income from stock car events.
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Jim Thomson
Unregistered User
Apr 13, 15:36
Report commentIf you have a look at the proposed plans you'll see the North End Park Development includes improved traffic management at the top of the High Street, larger roundabout access, extra bus stop areas etc. which will easily cope with the influx of traffic from Kelty and Lochgelly into the supermarket.
The worst place in Cowdenbeath for a supermarket development will be the Central Park area, which is why the proposal has been rejected numerous times in the past several years. Can you imagine trying to funnel traffic from Kelty and Lochgelly from Foulford Rd and Perth Rd down into the High Street? If it goes ahead then our High Street will basically turn into a waiting zone, discouraging people from shopping in the High Street.
The people of Cowdenbeath want a supermarket, and it's clear Central Park can't cope with a development like that. North End Park is the only option in my opinion.
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chris
Unregistered User
Apr 14, 09:46
Report commentLiving in an area where a supermarket is on the edge of a town will encourage more visitors to drive or have to rely on public transport which is not available to most of the population of the town. This in turn will all the associated traffic problems pollution etc.
Being fortunate enough to have a central location close to a railway station too is a huge bonus which North End Park does not have.
There is nothing in the plans for North End Park which will ease the traffic problems which will arise if the supermarket is a success.
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chris
Unregistered User
Apr 14, 09:48
Report commentLiving in an area where a supermarket is on the edge of a town will encourage more visitors to drive or have to rely on public transport which is not available to most of the population of the town. This in turn will all the associated traffic problems pollution etc.
Being fortunate enough to have a central location close to a railway station too is a huge bonus which North End Park does not have.There is nothing in the plans for North End Park which will ease the traffic problems which will arise if the supermarket is a success.
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Jim Thomson
Unregistered User
Apr 14, 10:11
Report commentI think you'll find the most recent assesment by Fife Council's transport department (17th March) states the opposite:
"A Transport Statement has been prepared by WSP in support of the proposed development. The Transport Statement concludes that the site is accessible to walking, cycling and public transport use. In addition, the TA concludes that the proposed High Street/Foulford Road/Perth Road/site access signalized junction can accommodate the traffic likely to be generated by the proposed development."
Also, the report states that the popular access to North End Park from the train station will be via Glenfarg Crescent, and the existing underpass, hardly a lengthy walk, a few minutes at most? The report also asks for a sum of £50,000 to improve the existing footpath and cyclepath network, so even more investment in the infrastructure of our town.
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chris
Unregistered User
Apr 14, 11:05
Report commentThose able to walk to North End Park will by definition live nearby. Cycling to a Supermarket is hardly a good idea. So almost every visitor will have to travel by bus or car and the traffic problems will be horrendous. It's almost impossible to cross Cowdenbeath High Street on Saturdays now. Looks like WSP have got it wrong possibly as those who prepared the statement have not visited the area at a weekend.
And whilst any improvement to footpaths and a cyclepath network (nothing to do with a supermarket) is more than welcome, £50,000 won't do more than fill a few potholes.
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Jim Thomson
Unregistered User
Apr 14, 11:22
Report commentI really don't think the official reports on the transport impacts can be wrong. They've clearly done their analysis and concluded that the North End development can cope with the additional traffic. The Central Park development would surely impact on the High Street, which is why any proposed development there has been refused in the past, and should be in the future.
I think the Central Park development would be nice for the 150 or so supporters of Cowdenbeath FC, with the possibility (though no guarantee I see) of a new football pitch with a stand and terraces (so basically what the team has right now, just moved to make it harder to get to!). The North End development would be a huge benefit to the whole population of Cowdenbeath, improving the appearance of the High Street and giving the town a more modern feel.
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chris
Unregistered User
Apr 14, 11:39
Report commentAlmost every report on transport impacts is incorrect so not too much account will be taken of that.
Regarding the the move of Cowdenbeath FC. It will be harder to get to for some but no harder than those who live on the wrong side of Cowdenbeath who want to use the supermarket. It will be just as easy for them to jump on a bus and go to Dunfermline for a much greater selection of goods than would be available at North End Park.
Central park is "central" and most planners would be over the moon if they had a site that size available for development.
It really is a "no-brainer" and it seems that those pushing for the North End development are those with vested interests.
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Jim Thomson
Unregistered User
Apr 14, 12:22
Report commentI don't think the transport department would agree with your claim about most of their reports being incorrect!
Both sites will provide Cowdenbeath with new, much needed facilities, and will attract people into the town from neighbouring areas such as Kelty and Lochgelly. The disadvantage of the Central Park site is the access, with the potential to turn the High Street into a car park and discourage people from shopping here. Then we'll see people refuse to come into Cowdenbeath, visiting Dunfermline or Kirkcaldy instead.
The only location with sufficient access is the North End site, so it really is a "no-brainer". It also has the added advantage of giving the whole centre a more modern look, and as you say many people have vested interests and will move their business from the top of the High Street into other parts of our town, again improving the High Street as a whole. This will benefit the thousands of people in Cowdenbeath, not just the 150 or so football fans and the board wanting their investment back.
From the point of view of Cowdenbeath FC (and I have to say I don't support my home town team having moved from further north a few years ago) it sounds like the equivalent of someone selling their house, repaying their mortgage then trying to build another house with the money that's left over. Surely that isn't possible? And that's before we even consider the will there/won't there discussion over the stock car track.
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chris
Unregistered User
Apr 14, 13:22
Report commentThe North End development will finish off the High Street. No-one is going to walk to the other end of the street. Businesses that have been there for many years will be finished. They should move to "other parts of the town" Where would that be - the public park? And why should they move?
As regards the 150 fans you keep going on about, maybe you should visit the ground on a match day (this weekend?) to see how incorrect this statement is.
I agree that at present the North End site is a mess. Better to flatten and landscape it so making the entrance to Cowdenbeath so much more attractive than another souless building.
I have several elderly relatives who live in the town and although all looking forward to a supermarket, they have all said "easier to go to Dunfemline" they won't be going to the far side of Cowdenbeath.
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Jim Thomson
Unregistered User
Apr 14, 13:54
Report commentI simply can't agree with that argument. Firstly, all the shopping in our town at the moment is centred at the south end of the High Street, at Morrisons. Look at the higher quality of shop at that end compared to the north end of the High Street. Look at the state of the north end of the High Street, with burnt out buildings etc. Developing the north end of the High Street will lead to an improvement in that whole area, bringing a fresh vibrancy to the whole High Street. The businesses which will make way for this development have already said they'll remain in the town centre, taking up vacant buildings and re-investing in the town. Will the Central Park development improve the look of the High Street, fill empty retail space and reinvigorate the High Street? I think not.
I have attended a few games at Central Park this season (I actually support Dundee for my sins) but don't think i've seen more than 100 - 200 home fans at any game, and noticed the support for a recent game against Ross County was less than 300, so simply estimated the hard core support at 150.
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chris
Unregistered User
Apr 14, 15:34
Report commentBy all means replace the burnt out derelict buildings and develope the High Street that is not what the debate is about.It's about locating a busy supermarket in an area which will cause traffic mayhem.
Of course the businesses that make way for the supermarket will stay in the area (not that they'll make a killing!) these are the people who are objecting to the Central Park development (wonder why)
As regards the football club, I don't think you can base an argument on the attendance at a midweek game in the middle of winter when a Champion's league game was live on TV. The attendance at that game was 296 - do you really think half those there were from Dingwall? there weren't even 10 County supporters there.
Being a football person you should have some understanding of what Cowdenbeath FC are trying to do not that this would make the development of CP acceptable , but it is the best outcome and the developlment of North End is not going to happen.
As said already remove/replace the old buildings and landscape the area. Job done.
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Jim Thomson
Unregistered User
Apr 14, 16:05
Report commentAnd where exactly will the money to redevelop the High Street come from? The North End development is right on the High Street, and will directly affect and improve the surrounding shops and buildings. The Central Park development is detached from the High Street, giving no direct regeneration benefits. To improve our town the only option is to develop at the North End.
Traffic wise, the Central Park development has been discussed several times in previous years and there is simply no access to that area for the type of development proposed. The recent traffic analysis has shown the North End is the only site which can cope with a supermarket and the visitors it brings.
As for objections, I haven't seen an opportunity to object to the Central Park site yet as it's at such an early stage, so don't know who has objected and how they have done that. The North End site benefits the whole town, improves the High Street, plus the facilities in the Lumphinnans area will be fantastic for locals (with community football facilities). The Central Park site doesn't really benefit anyone apart from the owners of Central Park who will get their money back and most likely walk away from the club after that! If Cowdenbeath FC did end up with a new ground on the outskirts of town, the only people to benefit are the supporters of Cowdenbeath FC, who are as you'll agree a very small minority of the population of the town. Fair enough there is talk of community facilities attached to a new ground, but that will happen with the Lumphinnans investment as well.
Any talk of plans for a new ground has mentioned its likely to be 2 - 3 years down the line. The sale of Central Park won't generate enough money for a new stadium (once the owners investment is paid back), and there's no guarantee of additional finance being available to build a new ground. Groundshare (probably in Dunfermline?) will need to happen for those years, which brings with it a cost, and a loss of core support. It's a very scary situation, and being a Dundee supporter I know about scary situations! With the amount of money Fife Council are going to make by selling the land they own at North End Park, surely they could use some of it to help improve Central Park?
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geenyboy
Unregistered User
Sep 23, 12:34
Report commentI think they should knock Cowdebeath down and build a travelling site after all they are all tinkers anyway.
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Sorry Blue Brazil
Unregistered User
Apr 28, 13:54
Report commentWon't matter anyway. Cowdenbeath FC are going to be taken over by the Rangers FC newco after Rangers liquidate, buying their new First Division status so Rangers newco don't have to start in Div 3, therefore only getting a year out of the SPL. (Remember who is chairman of the Blue Brazil). They will then buy Ibrox and be back sooner rather than later. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news for the Cooden faithful (I have a big soft spot for the Blue Brazil), but there you go. Remember you heard it HERE first.
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