Plans for a new football stadium are progressing (From Worcester News)

Plans for a new Worcester City football stadium are progressing

3:20pm Tuesday 7th August 2012 in News By Steve Carley , @stevecarleyWN

PROGRESS is being made on plans for Worcester City Football Club’s new stadium.

The period during which a judicial review could be lodged over the site has now passed without any objections.

Developers St Modwen gained planning permission to construct a new ground in Nunnery Way in January, but the process has been delayed because a bridle path needs to be moved before work can start.

The company will now be free to submit a fresh application to move the pathway, safe in the knowledge there cannot be a judicial review into plans to build the actual ground.

The Blue Square Bet North outfit, who have to be out of their St George’s Lane home next June, have held regular meetings with St Modwen and say they have been encouraging.

Club officials are happy with the progress made over the last few months.

Chairman Anthony Hampson said: “We are moving forward shoulder to shoulder with St Modwen.” Signs are expected to be put in place declaring the site as City’s new home and St Modwen should be in a position to mark out the new stadium’s location.

The city council’s planning department now say the developers will need to hand in a specific application asking for the bridle path to be shifted before work can get underway.

Worcester director Mike Davis, who oversees the pitch at the Lane, said he plans to take soil samples from Nunnery Way in preparation for the new surface.

St Modwen have a contract with the club to build the ground until 2017.

But City will be homeless within 12 months, with county neighbours Kidderminster Harriers their likely temporary base. Talks have also been held with Bromsgrove Sporting over the possibility of sharing at the Victoria Ground.

The Lane was sold to property developer Careys New Homes for £3.19 million and will be demolished in 2013.