We see Modern day sporting stadia developments increasingly working hand in hand with commercial property developers. It is now common for a retail park or another form of commercial property to emerge alongside a newly built sporting development.
Organisations, such as Tesco will work hand in hand with sporting institutions, financing new stadia or redevelopment schemes, in order to attain planning permission for a new store nearby.
An example of this was the Halliwell Jones Stadium, in Warrington and home to rugby league side the Warrington Wolves. It was built in 2003, with the help of funding from Tesco. Literally 200 yards away there is now a Tesco’s superstore and commercial property in the form of a large retail park.
The most recent redevelopment to acquire a helping hand from Tesco, is Old Trafford Cricket ground. Tesco are to plough £21 million into the £32 million scheme, which will also see a brand new 100,000 sq ft Tesco superstore erected.
However, the plans have been challenged on a number of occasions by Derwent Holdings, who recently had plans for a supermarket in nearby White City turned down. Ever since, Derwent owner Albert Gubay has challenged the decision, with the Government scrutinising it on three separate occasions. Yesterday, the High Court threw out his legal challenge in just three minutes and has this time offered no right to appeal.
Jim Cumbes, Lancashire County Cricket Club Chief Executive, said of the announcement: Today has been a crucial day, the most important day in the club’s 153-year history. After seven years of hard work and tough battles we can say the future for the club is now brighter.’
Meanwhile, Gubay has accused the planning regulators of double standards.
By supporting and indeed financing projects which will benefit the community, large organisations, such as Tesco, can gain more support for their own commercial property projects. Whether this is right or wrong, one does not know, but many will argue that improved community facilities are an acceptable price to pay for a new commercial property development.
