Kevin Foster - Stadium plans.

Surely Co as a seasoned stadia builder would have the following points covered, and I'm surprisd that Co has had to be reminded:

1. Whether the site as a former landfill could physically take the development concerned.

2. A detailed transport assessment, especially in relation to the suggested events arena and traffic arrangements for it.

3. An ecology assessment of whether the site was suitable for such a development.

Seasoned stadium builder? Not backed-up by much proof, seems more like a shifty second hand car dealer!

Bearing in mind the time frames first mooted for a new stadium it beggars belief that not even a basic viability assessment has been undertaken in respect of what is major and comprehensive multi use development. Also, why after two years of consultation with the mayor this has not been extended to other council members who ultimately are the decision-makers in this process and could have resolved many of these issues is hard to fathom.

Unfortunately, at best it gives the impression of a very amateurish approach and at worse it raises suspicions that the building of a new stadium may not come to pass which appears to have been the outcome of previous projects by the owner and is a risk factor.. Either way, it does not give the Torquay fan too much confidence about this project and the knock on impact on the club. From a football perspective Plainmoor is more than fit for purpose and there must be good realistic reasons to support a relocation. The basic theory of a relocation in partnership with the local authority to improve facilities and job prospects in the bay as well as the viability of the football club is sound though.

What confuses me somewhat is the motive behind this development. Clark Osborne has previously stated that his objective is to come and build the stadium to make the club self-sufficient and then job done will be able to leave and move on. He has again stated that the club will be in receipt of these revenues from the stadium which does have implications in this scenario for the future ownership. However, for a businessman with no connection to the area or the club and no interest in watching the football I do find this behaviour strange that he is willing to take on a potentially risky development and pump significant funds into the club with no clear profit or gain to be made as those potential future income streams will not be capitalised and sold on and any enabling development from land owned by a cash strapped local authority should only be for a proportion of the cost of providing these facilities. I could be wrong but Clarke Osborne does not come across as an altruistic white knight kind of guy so what is his angle from a business perspective?

I can only look at the Swindon speedway development where a number of phases have been built around the track but the design and rebuilding of the stadium has been delayed on countless occasions and I believe it has taken well over a decade to try and bring a new stadium there which is much smaller and less complicated than the proposed venture for Torquay United.

Will there be a similar scenario for us where the enabling development is built all around the ground but endless delays are encountered due to “unforeseen” issues such as stability, structure, drainage, contamination and ecology. Without resolving these issues together with suitable contingencies, the cost and viability of any development cannot be determined and it looks like the cart has been firmly put before the horse.

There is a lot that is confusing and a lot that just doesn't make any sense. But what is clear is that neither kevin Foster or Dave Thomas are very impressed with it all. And there in lays a risk to our future.
Thomas is the leader of the ruling Tory group on the council and if Osbourne's plan falls at the first hurdle then I can see Osbourne ditching the club right away, it is costing him a small fortune to run and it would be almost impossible to sell on because it is still haemorrhaging money nearly four years after Thea Bristow let it go. If Osbourne has no intention to build the arena as many suspect, he would simply ditch the club later on after he has taken his profits from whatever scheme he has concocted.I
Looking at it that way the club is probably doomed. It's just a question of time. But if the council turn Osbourne down straight away then the end may be sooner than we think.

Funny enough I seem to recall or read somewhere that Gaming international or their previous corporate vehicle BS Ltd paid Bristol Rovers money to move out of the stadium. I don’t know if this was the actual case but it would make sense as obtaining the Stadium with no tenant meant it could be sold for another very profitable use. Of course this was after a fire which had reduced the capacity of the ground somewhat making it less attractive for Rovers to stay as “ambitious plans” for it’s redevelopment did not come to fruition.

I think the plan maybe is for the above to be undertaken in reverse in that Clarke Osborne would give up or surrender the lease at Plainmoor for the council’s benefit in return for land to be used as the enabling development.

More about Eastville can be found HERE

Extract:

"consultancies in these areas had been appointed to draw up detailed assessments (At TUFC’s not Torbay Council’s expense)"

So Torquay United is paying for this charade. Remember this when Clarke Osborne expects to be paid back the money he has lent to Torquay United.