Pic: Cambridge City FC
CAMBRIDGE CITY’S plans to move into a new 3,000 capacity stadium in Sawston have finally been given the green light.
A legal challenge against the new ground was dismissed on Wendesday morning at London’s High Court, with Mr Justice Jay refusing to tear up the club’s planning permission.
The Evo-Stik League Southern Premier side currently groundshare at St Ives Town and got planning permission for their new stadium from the South Cambridgeshire planning committee last June.
Local resident Karen Oakley, however, objected and claimed the council failed to explain why they are allowing the club to build on green belt land.
She added that the stadium will significantly harm the openness of the green belt at Sawston, and is contrary to the council’s development plan.
Despite what Mr Justice Jay described as “spirited arguments” by planning barrister Zack Simons, on behalf of Ms Oakley, the legal challenge was dismissed.
It means the Lilywhites can continue to look forward to having their own home again having been in exile since their exit from Milton Road in 2013.
Building at the site restarted last week while the club were waiting for the court’s decision and chairman Kevin Satchell said: “Naturally I am delighted with the outcome. The decision means that we can really move forward free of any outstanding legal proceedings and develop a site that will not just be a new home for the club but a new community facility for the surrounding area too.
“It’s been a period of uncertainty for everyone but I would like to pay tribute to our own supporters. Together they have been through an awful lot in recent times and the groundshare era that we are currently experiencing is not easy.
“However, I urge everyone to pull together, and keep with us as the news means that hopefully we will soon be moving into a new home that we can all be proud of.”
