SWAG - Stadium Wakefield Action Group
Press Release 14-12-10
Re: Public Inquiry for Newmarket
The news today that the Secretary of State, Mr Pickles, has decided to call for a Public Inquiry to determine the outcome of the planning application for the Newmarket development is clearly disappointing as the SWAG committee were, and remain, confident in the fact that the benefits associated with the development are more than sufficient to make this an extremely viable application.
Having received a unanimous decision from the Planning Committee on the 22nd October, we were hopeful that the weight of support for the scheme, including the handing over of the 15,000+ signature petition, would prove to be strong enough to persuade Mr Pickles and his officers to hand the final decision back to Wakefield Council to determine. Regrettably, this has proved not to be the case.
The exact ramifications from the decision remain to be seen; details such as how long will the process take and what type of information will be required to assist with the Inquiry are yet to be worked out - but SWAG can already confirm it's dedication to support the Newmarket proposals for as long as it takes until the scheme is either given final approval, or until someone determines that the scheme cannot proceed (although we consider the chances of the latter outcome to be remote).
We will now begin the discussions with the concerned parties over what action we may take to show help the scheme, and we are confident that those many people who have worked hard to support the campaign for a new Stadium in Wakefield will again offer their assistance if and when called upon.
In summary, we see today's announcement as merely the beginning of another phase in the effort to provide Wakefield with the Sporting Facilities which this City can be proud of.
Phil Townsend
Spokesman for Stadium Wakefield Action Group
I ain't giving up - no way!
This is Wakefield - Together we are Stronger!