AFC Fylde’s hopes for a new stadium moved a step closer on Tuesday when Fylde Borough Council’s Planning Officers put forward a recommendation to accept the scheme.  The application will now be heard next Wednesday, 4^th June, and the club are hopeful the Planning Committee will rubberstamp its officers recommendation.

Commenting on the decision David Haythornthwaite, Chairman of AFC Fylde said:

“We are not over the line yet, but this is really good news and the result of a hell of a lot of work behind the scenes by a lot of people.  We’ve already invested over a million pounds in acquiring the site and preparing for this moment so it would be a tragedy for us to fall at this last hurdle.  The good thing is that if we do succeed next Wednesday work can begin virtually straightaway.  There are some legals to agree and we then have to wait six weeks to allow for a judicial review.  So if all goes to plan we will begin construction in late August, early September”.

The site will provide a new six thousand capacity stadium for AFC Fylde with 2000 seats in the main stand and will meet all the ground requirements for the Football League.  It will also provide eight all weather 3G pitches, including a full size football pitch and hockey pitch up to National League standards.

Mr Haythornthwaite added: “Our manager has given us a team to be proud of and we now want to build a stadium to suit.  After five promotions in just eight years we are only two steps away from our aim of League Football by 2022.  This facility will be a huge step forward and hopefully convince any remaining doubters of our true intentions”.