Talks in store over Monarchs stadium
THE Edinburgh Monarchs' speedway chiefs will meet with Sainsbury's this week to seek assistance in their bid to move to a new home at South Couston next season.
Sainsbury's application to build a supermarket on Monarchs' current home at Armadale Stadium was rejected by West Lothian planning officials in May.
The decision cost Monarchs a six-figure windfall which the supermarket chain had promised the county-based club on condition its plan received the green light.
But Monarchs' co-promoter, John Campbell, has revealed Sainsbury's had offered help in addition to a financial package – and it has not delivered on that pledge yet.
Campbell denied Monarchs' hopes of moving to South Couston in 2011 have hit the buffers, but refused to rule out the possibility of staying at Armadale for another year if agreement could be reached with stadium owner Kenny Waugh.
Campbell said: "Discussions are on-going with all relevant parties, and we are scheduled to meet Sainsbury's this week. It is still our intention to move to South Couston and if we can make that happen, we'll do that."
Plans to hold a public exhibition of Monarchs' proposed new-look stadium have not yet materialised and Campbell said: "The Sainsbury's people were the ones who were going to organise that for us and this is still under discussion."
The Monarchs have already signed a long-term lease on the South Couston Farm site but require Sainsbury's professional expertise to help their scheme forward.
"We are looking for assistance from Sainsbury's and I wouldn't like to say it's money we are after," added Campbell.
"We are looking for assistance that Sainsbury's said they would give us from day one. But it hasn't really happened. They offered us assistance from all varieties of professionals and my view is that was not dependant on them receiving planning permission and that is what is under discussion.
"It's all to do with taking our own plans forward, many different professions are involved in doing that and that was quite clearly offered by Sainsbury's from the beginning."
Asked if Monarchs' plans have stalled and remaining at Armadale is now a consideration, Campbell replied: "We will look at every possibility as things develop.
"If there is a need to stay at Armadale then we would certainly be in discussions with Kenny Waugh about that, but he doesn't know what he wants to do at this moment."
Monarchs also need to begin the consultation process over their stadium move and Campbell added: "If we cannot start this process then we cannot make the planning application to run speedway at South Couston."
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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