New stadium dream is back on track

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League AFC Fylde have unveiled plans to build an £18m football stadium and sports and science park.

More than 200 new jobs could be created if the Premier Division's Coasters are given the green light by Fylde Borough Council's planning committee. Previously submitted plans for a sports village were rejected last year, prompting the club to revamp their plans and return to the local authority with a fresh application.

The proposed park at Mill Farm is on a 32-acre site close to the M55 at Kirkham. As well a new 6,000 capacity stadium with a main stand seating 2,000, executive boxes, function rooms and a supporters bar, the proposed development also includes community sports and education facilities as well as new retail, leisure and commercial development.

David Haythornthwaite, AFC Fylde's Chairman and head of the Lytham-based agricultural company Tangerine Group, unveiled the plans on Tuesday.

Haythornthwaite said: "The Fylde sports and science park is an ambitious investment in the local economy and has been put together by a team of experts from Lancashire. This is a well thought out development plan that will create superb facilities and help fuel the economic growth of the area."

The Coasters say a new company called Mill Farm Ventures has been created to develop the plan which has been designed by Preston-based architecture firm Frank Whittle Partnership on land formerly used for commercial tree production.

The proposals include a large indoor sports science building providing a range of educational and sporting activities for local schoolchildren. There will also be all weather pitches for community use, a foodstore, distribution centre with associated office space, a 63-bed hotel, petrol station and a pub.