Hamilton Accies reveal plans to develop New Douglas Parl

Dec 17 2009 by John Rowbotham, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON Accies this week unveiled plans to further develop their stadium.

They want to want to sell land next to the ground for ‘affordable’ homes and use the proceeds to help pay for extra car parking spaces.

The completion of the south and east stands hinges on provision of extra parking for use by firms who, it’s hoped, will rent business space there.

Stadium bosses estimate that the cost of the work to create the additional spaces will be about £240,000.

A planning application, lodged with South Lanarkshire Council, features plans for 17 flats in a block of up to four storeys on land at the corner of the west and north stand.

A master plan, included with the application, describes New Douglas Park as “unfinished work”.

Only the west and north stands have been completed, although there is a temporary 600-seater stand on the east side of the ground.

The north stand is occupied by South Lanarkshire Council, while the west stand houses a variety of club and business activities.

Rent from the council and the other business activities provide a vital income stream for the club.

The club hope to add to this source of revenue when they develop the two unfinished sides of the ground.

The plan states: “The completion of the south and east stands is dependent upon adequate parking facilities to cater for future development together with the necessary funding.”

Engineers were asked to examine the site potential for extra parking and they recommended the use of ‘geotextile’ layers to stabilise ground, at a cost of around £240,000.

The master plan documents adds: “To fund the additional car parking spaces, the stadium company seeks to sell surplus land for affordable housing, most likely to a housing association.”

If the scheme is approved, the number of spaces in the stadium car park would increase from 212 to 287.

In addition, the club’s stadium company have negotiated with supermarket chain Morrisons exclusive use, seven days a week, of 218 spaces in their adjacent store’s underground car park

Occupants of the stadium would then, explains the document, have use of a total of 505 parking spaces.

Additional parking a Douglas Street, Caird Street and Beckford Street would increase to 1363 the number of spaces for fans on match days.

Designs for a south stand have been drawn up but construction will not commence until football-related business space has been pre-let and funding is in place.

No decision has been taken on the development of an east stand, although it’s planned to sell the temporary stand once the south stand is completed.

Club officials believe the homes plan will bring much needed non-football related revenue into the club and contribute to the ‘campus environment’ there.

They have tried, they say, to “reduce the visual impact” on nearby Kenmar Terrace by reducing the development to three storeys at its northern edge.