Fleet Development Group (FGD) remain hopeful of link with Kent County Council to deliver community focused stadium for Gravesham.
FGD are still hopeful of working with Kent County Council (KCC) to provide Gravesham with a new community stadium which will also be a home for Ebbsfleet United FC. Current KCC plans are for an activity park in the A2 corridor which will feature a velodrome, mountain bike trails, a BMX track, skate park, footpaths and equestrian route; but FGD feel that the site can also accommodate a community stadium. KCC's current position is expressed in an article which has been published in Cycling Weekly - http://tinyurl.com/ptv7w7
FGD Director, Brian Kilcullen commented "This article sums up the problems we are facing. It is about the trustees having to decide between a cycling park or a new community focused stadium, whereas it should be about exploring how we can have both. It shouldn't be us versus KCC, it should be about how KCC can work with us on this stadium project for the benefit of the local community. This is something the land owner's representatives have asked us and KCC to do, try and work together".
"We first approached KCC in September of last year" he added, "Eventually they met us in May of this year. We have worked on how a joint scheme might work at no detriment to the Activity Park, but KCC are still opposed to it. They think they have some valid reasons and we have put forward our case where we disagree with those reasons. But I feel it is their democratic duty to positively listen to what we have to say and properly explore the benefits of what that might bring to the Borough of Gravesham".
Ebbsfleet United’s new Chairman, Duncan Holt commented "I'm very excited about the prospects for our football club in my new role and see the potential to really make us a force to be reckoned with on the pitch. Off the pitch, a new stadium is crucial to our advancement. I’m sure if the local population were asked what they would prefer, a community stadium or a cycling park, the answer would be a stadium. I'm sure if they were asked would they like to have the option of both, they would be over the moon. FGD have worked hard to put together a win-win situation for the local people and for KCC. I really hope that a way forward can be worked out".
Head of the Ebbsfleet United FC Supporters Trust and member of the MyFootballClub Society Board who are the majority owners of EUFC, Jessica McQueen, added “I don’t know if there is a great desire in our town for a horse riding trail and BMX park. I do know there is burning need for the local football club to be supported in their aims. The underlying support in the club is evidenced by the 24,000 supporters who went to Wembley last year. A new stadium will add to the profile of the club, town and county. There is nothing in this country that brings profile and pride to an area the way a successful football club does”.
