Witton 'no' to relocation (From Northwich Guardian)

Witton Albion tells councillors that the club's home will continue to be in Wincham

12:59pm Friday 27th July 2012 in News By Andrew Simpson, Senior Sports Writer

Witton Albion chairman Mark Harris.

WITTON Albion’s reluctance to move to a new stadium could force developers to draw again plans for what Wincham will look like in the future.

The club used last Thursday’s meeting of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s strategic planning committee to make clear again its policy of preferring to stay put.

Chairman Mark Harris did the same in a letter to the local authority in May.

“If Witton move it will be on their terms,” said council planning officer Paul Friston.

“As landowners, they alone must decide whether to allow development on their plot. Their current intention is not to.”

Witton’s board was unhappy earlier this year when Emery Planning Partnership, advising house builders Gladedale and Russell Homes, told the council’s planners what a new home for the club could like elsewhere in the town.

Albion officials were not asked for their opinion.

“I find it remarkable that such discussions could take place – never mind be made public – without the club being involved,” wrote Mr Harris.

No detail of where a replacement stadium might be built was included in a plan for 1,000 new homes in Wincham approved by councillors.

The club’s plot is not earmarked for change in the development’s initial phases in any case.

“We’re flexible with regards to Witton,” said Andrew Clarke, a designer for consultants Taylor Young.

Witton board member Reg Hardingham wanted to make history when he faced councillors before they made up their mind on a proposal for the housing development.

He told members that his seven-words utterance would be the briefest yet at a Cheshire West and Chester Council meeting.

“The club has no plans to move,” he said slowly before returning to his seat.