RUFC - Chairman 'a big step forward'

Rotherham United have moved a step closer to building their new stadium this week.

The club have submitted a a formal outline planning application to the Borough Council for a 12,000 seater ground on the old Guest and Chrimes site. Included in this is an Environmental Impact Assessment, which looks at all technical issues involved in the construction of the stadium and car park.

Chairman, Tony Stewart, told David Beddows of The Advertiser, 'This week has been another big step forward.

'We are convinced that the old Guest and Chrimes site is the perfect location and it ticks all the relevant boxes.

'I am very excited to put forward the plans, which have taken months of hard work and effort to put together. We still have work to do but we are moving closer and closer to having something very special that the whole town can be proud of and benefit from.'

It is hoped that the planning application will be determined in the autumn and then, the next part of the process, which will include the detailed proposals for the design of the stadium, can take place.

This will allow the stadium to be built for the start of the 2012/13 season.

In the meantime the club are working towards establishing a new training ground at the Roundwood Sports Complex where it is hoped that, by September, all the playing staff will be based.

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