Locals hit roof over Stafford Rangers' Shed End plan
A new roof on Stafford Rangers' Shed End will be the team's 12th man, say bosses, despite residents' objections over the height of the canopy.
The club were crowned champions of the Evo-Stik First Division earlier this year and are now chasing promotion to the National Conference League – but league regulations mean they will have to provide at least 500 seats, with potential to increase to 1,000, if they get there.
The Shed End is currently a terrace with no roof. Bosses at the Marston Road club have applied to Stafford Borough Council for permission to build a roof, which would be 7.5 metres – 24.6ft – above the existing perimeter wall.
But nearby residents are worried the canopy will be too overbearing. They say they have already been impacted on by a new industrial building on the Marston Road Trading Park.
Councillor Aidan Godfrey has called in the application for debate. He said: "Some residents on Marston Road are concerned about the height of the proposed new stand. They have no objection to a new stand.
"But they are worried about the impact on the area, which they say will be a new blight following another recent high development affecting them."
The club has around £7,000 saved for the project and have said the development as crucial to Rangers' progress. Chairman John Bromley said: "It is very important for us a lot of the crowd go behind the Shed End, which has got no cover at the moment.
"If it rains we get no support around the goals, so it is important and it seems to matter to a lot of people. It will be like our 12th man if we can get it up.
"It would not be a lot higher (than already) but we have got to meet provisions for putting seating underneath and we need sufficient height above."
More than 60 people have written to the council in support of the application and officers at the authority have recommended the plans for approval.
In a report, planning officer John Dolman, said: "The proposed development would enhance an existing sports facility within the borough consistent with the relevant sports and recreation policy.
"The design and appearance of the proposed structure is considered satisfactory and the development will not cause any significant harm to the occupiers of nearby residential properties." The planning committee will make a decision tomorrow.
