Ref. 29626-18Plans to build a new £20 million stadium for Swindon Town FC have been given a cautious welcome.

IF THE dream of a new stadium is to become a reality for Swindon Town, the business brains at the County Ground have lots of homework to do.

Swindon Council expects to receive a detailed planning application from the football club by late summer, but before then there are some major hurdles to clear.

Issues such as transport and access links, the redevelopment of the County Ground and the current use of the Shaw tip all have to be resolved.

And, as the club opened its public consultation period yesterday, it was evident the plans could be met with concern by some local residents.

The proposed site Old Shaw tip was originally intended for use as a community country park.

The Great Western Community Forest group has already planted thousands of trees at the site and it was earmarked as public open space.

Judging from the Advertiser's initial gauge of local reaction, some people are worried about what would happen to the current country park.

They are also concerned about traffic congestion.

Louise Lynch, 32, a teacher who lives in Ransome Close, Shaw, said: "It's busy enough around here already, without extra traffic coming in. They would have to seriously look at the roads if they wanted to bring the football club over here.

"Other than that, I think it's a good use of the land."

Mike Bawden, leader of the council, is well aware there are issues to be addressed.

He said: "As far as the council is concerned, we are 100 per cent behind the concept of trying to find a new home for Swindon Town FC.

"There are issues to be addressed though, such as traffic, landscaping and local residents' thoughts.

"There is an awful lot of work to be done over the next 12 months and there are statutory steps we as a council need to take.

"We want the maximum input from residents, that's why we're presenting the plans as they are now and not as a fait accompli.

"It is possible for the Government office to get involved and prevent us from granting planning permission if they think these plans are unsuitable."

Speaking to residents of the area near to the proposed site, traffic is already an issue in West Swindon and they would want major road restructuring if a stadium was to be built.

Kevin McCullogh, of Cartwright Drive, said: "The traffic would cause chaos. I can't say I'm hugely keen on the idea of a football stadium on our doorstep, especially with all the fans and noise it would bring."

The council already has plans to develop Purton Road and Iffley Road and Coun Bawden says such works would form a key part of improving access to the proposed site.

He added: "The council has a responsibility as a highways authority as well as a planning authority.

"We would not want traffic to come into West Swindon and then just get stuck in the area."

Despite the issues that need to be addressed, Coun Bawden is optimistic that this time the move might go ahead. Swindon Town previously had plans to build a new stadium on the Front Garden, but this scheme fell through.

"The situation is different this time," said Coun Bawden. "The Shaw tip site is brownfield land and not a greenfield, we can't build houses on it. We have limited uses for it."

Money generated from the redevelopment of the County Ground would go towards the funding of the new stadium. However, the prime town centre site is currently protected by a covenant that dictates the land must be used for sporting purposes.

Emma-Kate Lidbury