Statement from the Chairman
Last week I confirmed that it was extremely unlikely that we would be able to complete the build of the UWE Stadium before the start of the 2015/16 season.
This means we will probably not be able to occupy the stadium until the start of the 2016/17 season, as the Football Authorities prevent clubs from moving grounds during a season.
However, this does not mean the build will be delayed by 12 months; we still intend to get onsite and start building later this year.
The delay to the project to date has come from the Judicial Review hearing the subsequent appeal and the English Heritage application, and has cost the club a lot of time and money.
It is extremely frustrating that these small minority groups have been able to have such a massive impact on this project and associated projects that will bring so many benefits to the local area.
Outstanding contractual agreements between all parties have been on hold since the JR proceedings got underway last autumn, but we are now in the process of addressing these agreements.