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the Press Release Index
9th March 2006
New Stonehaven Sports Complex
Stonehaven Conservatives have launched their
initiative to bring a new state-of-the-art sports complex to
the town.
Team members George Carr and Alan Venters
volunteered to investigate the options to make such a
facility become a reality and consult the town about the
various choices. Both have met with Richard Holman-Baird of
Rickarton Estate, and also with FM Developments who are
currently in the process of re-developing Ury House and the
associated policies. The land-owners have each indicated
their delight at such an initiative and have pledged
interest in assisting the project in any way they can.
George said that Stonehaven is at an
interesting point in its development. FM Developments have
indicated that their current proposals already tabled for
Ury could give the town a possible £700k planning gain
money, which could be available to spend on sporting
facilities. This sum will be enhanced further if development
elsewhere in the town gets planning approval. He said
residents should be consulted about the options on how and
where that money should be spent.
FM Developments have expressed interest in
discovering the views of Stonehaven residents concerning the
kind of development they would like to see at Ury as
proposals to restore the mansion, at an estimated cost of
£3-4m, are already in progress. Options so far considered
are for the development of nine town houses in the ruined
shell of the main house.
The Conservatives have suggested
incorporating features for community use, such as a hall
with conference and catering facilities available for
weddings and similar events. This could transform Ury into a
prestigious ‘Country Club’ development to attract visitors
and to be a real resource for the townsfolk. FM Developments
have welcomed this suggestion, and would like to build on
these ideas with further comments from residents.
A golf course is planned for the policies in
front of the mansion house which will encompass the quarry
and run up to the Slug road with limited executive housing
behind the house. Ponds have already been created and
stocked with fish.
The most controversial proposal is for a
small “sustainable” housing development off the Netherley
road which would not be visible from either the town or the
by-pass. Again FM Developments would also welcome community
views on this matter.
In their discussions with local
Conservatives, FM Developments further indicated their plans
to open up woodland walks throughout the estate, to be
accessed through Mineralwell Park. They have already
allocated an area for the creation of a stunt bike facility.
Alan Venters said the Conservatives
identified a lack of sports provision in the town at their
last meeting. They decided to embark upon a campaign to
preserve and enhance the rugby pitches at Redcloak, and to
provide additional football pitches and better changing
facilities. He highlighted the need for squash courts if the
current courts at the County Hotel disappear, and for a
modern sports complex with similar facilities to those at
Ellon, Huntly, and Inverurie incorporating floodlit
all-weather facilities.
He said the Conservatives, in conjunction
with Richard Holman-Baird and FM Developments have
identified two potential sites where such a complex could be
built.
Conservatives shall undertake a survey of
the town over the next few months to ascertain what type of
sports provision townsfolk want. They have pledged to
oversee the establishment of a community steering group to
discuss funding, running costs and advancing the project.
Local Councillors Wendy Agnew and Sandy
Wallace have both welcomed the fact that Stonehaven folk
will be consulted over developments at Ury, and look
forward with interest to hearing what sort of sports
facilities the residents of the town envisage for the future
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