Full report is as follows-
http://www.argylefanstrust.com/2014/08/ ... about-hhp/
The Argyle Fans’ Trust is, along with many fans, keenly awaiting news regarding progress of the Higher Home Park (HHP) and grandstand redevelopment.
The redevelopment of the main grandstand is important for the club’s future, not only to modernise the stadium but also for the projected additional revenue it would bring, which is of increased importance given the club’s requirement to make a ‘balloon payment’ to its football creditors of up to £1.9m by the end of 2016.
Earlier this month, Andy Symons and Sam Down, Chair and Vice Chair of the AFT, met with Tudor Evans from Plymouth City Council and Luke Pollard (the prospective parliamentary candidate for the Plymouth Sutton and Devonport ward) in connection with the plans for Higher Home Park and the future of the development and the land which has been designated for its usage.
A summary of the points discussed follows:
-When talking of the seriousness of failing to complete Higher Home Park in relation to the future financial stability of the club, Tudor Evans rejected the idea that HHP would be the ‘salvation’ of Argyle. Mr Evans re-iterated that Akkeron and PAFC are separate and that the completion of the stand could not and will not solve the problem of the balloon payment.
It was then re-iterated clearly that even if the development were to start tomorrow (and even if it started on time), it would never be able to raise enough money to fund the balloon payment in time. Therefore, the stand cannot be the ‘salvation’ of the club.
-Mr Evans agreed that projected income streams of £1 million + per year in extra revenue from the proposed development was ‘pushing it a lot’.
-Mr Evans went on to talk about the assistance that the Council has given in order to get the project underway. In addition to the rates relief confirmed earlier in the year, this has included rent relief to Plymouth Argyle on the ground over the two and a half years that James Brent has owned the club. This rent relief has now reached the maximum amount that the Council are allowed to give by law.
-When asked why the HHP development had stalled, Mr Evans gave a number of reasons:
Firstly, he stated that lettings on the potential site are going at a much slower rate than was planned.
The timetable has slipped far beyond its original timescale.
The plan for HHP was predicated a percentage of the funding being taken up by Plymouth City Council and Plymouth Community Health. Mr Evans stated that neither organisation was made aware of this predication by Akkeron at the time of planning permission being issued and had no way of knowing.
-Mr Evans confirmed that the plan for a hotel on Higher Home Park has fallen through and will not be happening.
-It was also re-iterated that the only obligation in terms of an ice rink was for James Brent to provide ‘continuous ice’. It does not need to be on Higher Home Park and could theoretically be located anywhere.
-Mr Evans made certain to point out that the Bretonside development was not to blame for the stalling of the HHP development. He stated that the Bretonside development has not had planning permission yet whereas HHP has had planning permission for around a year. Even before the Bretonside proposal came into public knowledge, Higher Home Park was not going as quickly with its lettings as it had hoped.
-To summarise, the AFT was informed that Higher Home Park is behind on all plans for both the fulfilment of its lettings and the planned timescale of building work. It was also predicated on letting arrangements that had not been made known to 16% of the participants (PCC and PCH). Contrary to initial plans, a hotel and studio school will not be part of any final design for HHP. As well as this, the development cannot raise the funds in time to make the balloon payment and Bretonside is not the reason for its delay.
Given the above comments by Mr Evans, the AFT feels that supporters would appreciate the club clarifying the current position on the HHP and grandstand redevelopment, as it has a direct bearing on the long-term future and sustainability of the football club.
The AFT would be more than happy to meet with the club and – if it was felt it would be helpful – explore avenues through which supporters could work with the club to help address the challenges being faced, particularly with the balloon payment in the absence of additional income from a new grandstand.
The club could also update supporters through the first of the promised Fans Forum events, which could be scheduled before an upcoming weekend match at Home Park.
We have some of the most passionate supporters in the country in the Green Army. Our fans have stepped up before when needed and – if asked – we’re confident they would do so again. The AFT is very willing to help in any way it can, if required.
In the meantime, we still give our absolute support and best wishes to John Sheridan and the boys in their League Two campaign starting with the game against Southend on Saturday.
Post edited to include full text
http://www.argylefanstrust.com/2014/08/ ... about-hhp/
The Argyle Fans’ Trust is, along with many fans, keenly awaiting news regarding progress of the Higher Home Park (HHP) and grandstand redevelopment.
The redevelopment of the main grandstand is important for the club’s future, not only to modernise the stadium but also for the projected additional revenue it would bring, which is of increased importance given the club’s requirement to make a ‘balloon payment’ to its football creditors of up to £1.9m by the end of 2016.
Earlier this month, Andy Symons and Sam Down, Chair and Vice Chair of the AFT, met with Tudor Evans from Plymouth City Council and Luke Pollard (the prospective parliamentary candidate for the Plymouth Sutton and Devonport ward) in connection with the plans for Higher Home Park and the future of the development and the land which has been designated for its usage.
A summary of the points discussed follows:
-When talking of the seriousness of failing to complete Higher Home Park in relation to the future financial stability of the club, Tudor Evans rejected the idea that HHP would be the ‘salvation’ of Argyle. Mr Evans re-iterated that Akkeron and PAFC are separate and that the completion of the stand could not and will not solve the problem of the balloon payment.
It was then re-iterated clearly that even if the development were to start tomorrow (and even if it started on time), it would never be able to raise enough money to fund the balloon payment in time. Therefore, the stand cannot be the ‘salvation’ of the club.
-Mr Evans agreed that projected income streams of £1 million + per year in extra revenue from the proposed development was ‘pushing it a lot’.
-Mr Evans went on to talk about the assistance that the Council has given in order to get the project underway. In addition to the rates relief confirmed earlier in the year, this has included rent relief to Plymouth Argyle on the ground over the two and a half years that James Brent has owned the club. This rent relief has now reached the maximum amount that the Council are allowed to give by law.
-When asked why the HHP development had stalled, Mr Evans gave a number of reasons:
Firstly, he stated that lettings on the potential site are going at a much slower rate than was planned.
The timetable has slipped far beyond its original timescale.
The plan for HHP was predicated a percentage of the funding being taken up by Plymouth City Council and Plymouth Community Health. Mr Evans stated that neither organisation was made aware of this predication by Akkeron at the time of planning permission being issued and had no way of knowing.
-Mr Evans confirmed that the plan for a hotel on Higher Home Park has fallen through and will not be happening.
-It was also re-iterated that the only obligation in terms of an ice rink was for James Brent to provide ‘continuous ice’. It does not need to be on Higher Home Park and could theoretically be located anywhere.
-Mr Evans made certain to point out that the Bretonside development was not to blame for the stalling of the HHP development. He stated that the Bretonside development has not had planning permission yet whereas HHP has had planning permission for around a year. Even before the Bretonside proposal came into public knowledge, Higher Home Park was not going as quickly with its lettings as it had hoped.
-To summarise, the AFT was informed that Higher Home Park is behind on all plans for both the fulfilment of its lettings and the planned timescale of building work. It was also predicated on letting arrangements that had not been made known to 16% of the participants (PCC and PCH). Contrary to initial plans, a hotel and studio school will not be part of any final design for HHP. As well as this, the development cannot raise the funds in time to make the balloon payment and Bretonside is not the reason for its delay.
Given the above comments by Mr Evans, the AFT feels that supporters would appreciate the club clarifying the current position on the HHP and grandstand redevelopment, as it has a direct bearing on the long-term future and sustainability of the football club.
The AFT would be more than happy to meet with the club and – if it was felt it would be helpful – explore avenues through which supporters could work with the club to help address the challenges being faced, particularly with the balloon payment in the absence of additional income from a new grandstand.
The club could also update supporters through the first of the promised Fans Forum events, which could be scheduled before an upcoming weekend match at Home Park.
We have some of the most passionate supporters in the country in the Green Army. Our fans have stepped up before when needed and – if asked – we’re confident they would do so again. The AFT is very willing to help in any way it can, if required.
In the meantime, we still give our absolute support and best wishes to John Sheridan and the boys in their League Two campaign starting with the game against Southend on Saturday.
Post edited to include full text
