COUNCILLORS have backed an ambitious scheme that will see football brought back into the heart of Poole.

As revealed exclusively in Saturday’s Daily Echo, former Cherries chairman Eddie Mitchell plans to revamp Poole Stadium into a premier sporting venue.

Although the businessman says there will be room for both football and speedway, he admitted that there would be no place for the greyhounds.

His proposals include a minimum 6,000-seater arena which could rise to 10,000, a pitch, track, almost 500 flats, shops, restaurants, bars and parking.

Councillor Chris Wilson, who represents residents living in the Poole Town ward, said she is delighted with proposals to bring Poole Town FC back into the heart of the town, but added: “I have some concerns.

“I’m a member of the planning committee, and so I can’t say too much, but I do have my worries that the housing won’t be consistent with what we actually need in Poole. Eddie Mitchell is known for expensive and luxurious developments – we need affordable housing for local people.”

Mitchell, who acquired a two-year majority share option in Poole Town, owns Black Label Events (Poole).

He told the Echo that the project would take a minimum of five years, and added: “Now I need to win various people over to let me take this further – the leaseholder of the stadium, the local authorities and the planners, and I need to find a developer to take it on, but these hurdles are not insurmountable.”

Cllr Elaine Atkinson, who leads the Borough of Poole council, said: “I am always in favour of any scheme which provides Poole Town with somewhere to live.

“It sounds like an ambitious development, and in terms of the sports it could house, it’s great news. Our speedway team is world class, and it would be fantastic to bring Poole Town home. But I’m very sad to hear that the greyhounds could go, as they are a big draw for many.”

Your views on the plans:

Alex Dibben, 25, from Tatnam, said: “It’s 100 per cent a great idea. It looks really rundown there at the moment and needs new development.”

Drew Giggins, 19, from Broadstone, said: “It’s not exactly attractive at the moment. A lot of development is needed around the area of the stadium so I think this is a good idea.”

Mark Sutton, who lives in Poole town centre, said: “I think we need football back at the stadium. It would make people want to go down and watch them again.”

David Crago, 32, from Upton, said: “I sometimes go to the speedway, especially around Christmas. It’s a big site and if it was developed like this I think more people would come.”