Millers get backing for new stadium

Now the hope is that the building of the 12,000 stadium will help kickstart the regeneration of the town centre.

Karl Battersby, the borough council’s strategic director for environment and development services, said: “This development will play a vital role in both the sporting and economic development of the town.

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“We hope that this becomes the first step on the journey home for the Millers.”

Millers’ chairman Tony Stewart told the planning board meeting: “It’s bringing football back to Rotherham. It’s about a community stadium which will be for the young and old and allow most people of Rotherham to participate in it.

“It’s about sport, it’s about the opportunity and the ambition.

“It is about job creation, business enterprise and education—a seven-day-a-week activity. "

“You cannot underestimate the economic benefits and as Rotherham United progress through the leagues, we will have a football club that everybody in the town can not only be proud of, but participate in too.”

The new Millers’ stadium is expected to be ready by August 2012 for the start of the 2012/13 football season.

Up to 400 jobs could be created by the stadium on the former Guest and Chrimes site, which is predicted to bring £4 million into the town over ten years.

The outline planning application will now be sent to the Secretary of State for formal approval. If not “called in” for a public inquiry, permission will be granted.

We're coming home at last . . . Reaction to the decision. SEE THIS WEEK'S ADVERTISER.

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