WEYMOUTH Football Club are making progress in their quest to find a new home after reaching a settlement on the dispute concerning the land surrounding the Bob Lucas Stadium with developers Wessex Delivery LLP.
After years of uncertainty, an agreement has been reached with the owners of the land surrounding the Terras’ current stadium.
While no official announcement has been made by the club, the Echo understands a site for the club’s 5,000-capacity community stadium and associated facilities is being looked at between Weymouth Rugby Club and the overflow car park of the Mount Pleasant park and ride facility.
Fans of the club will get the chance to ask questions about the terms of the settlement to the club’s board and club solicitor Gareth Jones, after the Terras’ scheduled home game against Cirencester Town on Saturday.
Club director, Alan Pepperell, who with co-director, Tony Greaves, has led the negotiations for the football club, met with George Farley from Wessex Delivery LLP (WDLLP) on Wednesday, to finalise the settlement.
In a statement from the club, Mr Pepperell said: “It has taken over three years to get here, but it has been well worth all the hard work.
“We have secured a totally different set of agreements with WDLLP. We are now looking forward to working closely together to develop a new sporting facility and home for the club.
“The WFC board will announce the main terms of the settlement to our supporters after this Saturday’s home game against Cirencester.
“It is fantastic that we have done the job they asked us to do. It’s a time for the club to celebrate, but there is still a lot of hard work ahead.
“We now move onto the next challenge, to secure a site for the new stadium and sports facility. We hope to be able to make further announcements on that in the very near future. It’s a great day for Weymouth Football Club.”
Commenting further about the settlement, Mr Farley from Wessex Delivery LLP, said: “We are delighted to re-set our relationship with Weymouth Football Club. We now look forward to working closely with the club to develop a sustainable sports facility that the community of Weymouth fully deserves.”
Mr Greaves added: “When I joined the board, the land issue had been on the radar for many years but had never been resolved.
“It’s important that we thank Gareth Jones from Rustem Guardian LLP who has led our legal team. Alan and I have worked very closely with Gareth and are delighted that he is staying as part of the team as we move to the next stage.
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“This settlement gives us the chance to build a community sports facility which can be used by other sports, which will give the youth of the town better chances to be involved in sport.
“That is something everyone in the town will benefit from. It is really great news and I am looking forward to being part of making something really special happen in the coming months, which benefits both WFC and the wider Weymouth community.”
