WORCESTER City has no plans to scale down proposals for a stadium at Perdiswell – but “would be open” to discussing amendments.

The homeless club’s supporters’ trust has planning permission for a 4,400-capacity stadium on the Worcester City Council-owned site but the possibility of access to the land is proving to be a divisive issue.

PERDISWELL LATEST | Part one of our look into City's stadium search

The club’s cash reserves have also taken a significant hit since the plan first began to form back in 2012 with the latest figures showing around £140,000 being left in the bank from the sale of the old ground at St George’s Lane.

Adrian Gregson, the city council’s deputy leader and a supporter of “the idea Worcester City should be playing at Perdiswell”, warned in October that changes could lead to fresh planning consent being required.

FULL STORY | Cllr Adrian Gregson on Perdiswell stadium plans in October

Director Dave Wood, who is heading City’s negotiations with stakeholders, acknowledged councillors had “suggested we look to scale down the facility” but that there was no imminent need to from the club’s perspective.

Asked whether City had plans to seek revised planning permission, Wood replied: “We have had these discussions as a trust board.

“It gets emotive because people quote it as a 4,400-seater stadium which isn’t the case. That is the capacity.

“It is not about having that many people there every week, it is about satisfying National League ground requirements for that level of football. It is prudent to be forward thinking in that way.

“A number of councillors have suggested we look to scale down the facility, putting it on a similar scale to Parsonage Way.

“We have a passed planning application but if it did need to be modified and we needed to knock 1,400 off that capacity it would not be that complicated to do. We would be open to looking at it.

“At the moment we are standing by the application that has been passed.

“I don’t think it would (take fresh planning permission) if it was just a matter of capacity. If it changed boundaries or facilities I think we would have to amend or go through some formal process."

Wood went on to make the case for the ground having minimal impact on residents and the local transport network, issues that have been raised by objectors.

“Looking at the scale of the facility, it is dwarfed by the swimming pool and leisure centre," he added.

“When you consider it alongside the facilities already next door, I just hope people can see it for what it is and not think about it as a big super stadium.

“It is not Old Trafford, it is a modest facility which just about provides what we need while also having the income streams to make sure it is viable. The football club does not survive on its own.”

Showcasing Perdiswell’s viability is the next stage of City's pursuit of the project.

“We are in the final throes of revamping the business plan that was submitted as part of the original planning application,” said Wood.

“It will be a more up-to-date version put together with the help of Supporters’ Direct that will then go to the council.

“There has been very little change to the original apart from aspect of us looking at more support for community involvement.

“We had the Black Pear Joggers backing us before, now we have other parties interested who came to us looking to get involved in the future of the project.

“Not only will it be multi-sport but involve other community activities.

“Another five organisations have come forward and that is before we have gone out to speak to others. That is a big milestone for us and shows it is not just about football – far from it.”