Lidl plans passed as stadium take huge step forward

A Lidl will be built on the old McCain Stadium site after Scarborough Council passed the plans - paving the way for football’s return to the town.
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Lidl

The authority passed the plans inside town hall this afternoon.

The arrival of the German supermarket giant will help fund the long-delayed Weaponness Leisure Village, which the council hope will finally be ready for the start of next season.

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Despite overwhelming demand from football fans for the village - the centrepiece of which will be a new ground for Scarborough Athletic - going into the meeting the Lidl proposals were hanging firmly in the balance.

Weaponness Valley Road car and coach park, as seen from Olivers Mount.  Picture by Andrew Higgins  112067h  20/05/11Weaponness Valley Road car and coach park, as seen from Olivers Mount.  Picture by Andrew Higgins  112067h  20/05/11
Weaponness Valley Road car and coach park, as seen from Olivers Mount. Picture by Andrew Higgins 112067h 20/05/11

Planning officers refused to give a recommendation in their report, although officers voiced a preference to councillors inside council chambers.

But now the plans have been passed, Scarborough Athletic chairman Dave Holland has said everyone involved with the club need to “rally round” ahead of the expected move next year.

“I’m delighted that following the granting of planning permission for the Lidl store on Seamer Road,” he said.

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“We can now look forward to seeing development activities commence.

“It’s more important than ever that we all rally round and work together to ensure that we come home in as strong a shape as possible”

Several fans are understood to have attended the meeting, and The Scarborough News’ club reporter Martin Dowey said todays news is what they’ve wanted to hear for the best part of a decade.

“This is the news that Scarborough Athletic fans have been waiting for since the old club folded,” he said.

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Football has been nomadic in this town since then, but more so than ever it looks like it’s coming home.”

“The season doesn’t start until Saturday but this could well be the clubs biggest win to date.”

See The Scarborough News next Thursday for full coverage.