CORNISH Pirates chairman Ian Connell has described a planning report ahead of a crunch meeting to decide the Stadium for Cornwall's fate as "muddled, repetitive and confusing".

On Thursday, Cornwall Council's planning committee will meet to discuss retail elements of the proposals linked to the 10,000 seater stadium which would house the Greene King IPA Championship side and be used by Truro and Penwith College.

Developers say having shops on the site at West Langarth Farm, Threemilestone, would help pay for the multi-million pound build, but a report for councillors from planning officers has recommended refusal, potentially putting the scheme in jeopardy.

It is seven years since the stadium saga began and Connell said the latest episode is a shame.

In an open letter uploaded to the club's website, Connell said: "[The] Cornish Pirates long term survival as a major force at the elite end of English rugby is inextricably linked to the S4C development located close to the heart of the Duchy population.

"The Stadium saga has been going on for seven long years and it appears to have come to this, surely after seven years it must have been possible to reach a united position with all stakeholders.

"This is a sad and poor reflection of the process and this must be examined."

Supporters of the stadium plans have been urging the councillors to green-light the retail plans and in recent months with Prime Minister David Cameron even getting involved, saying the Government would do "whatever they can" to help get the project completed.

The conclusion of the planning report compiled by Tim Marsh, which can be viewed on the council's website, says concerns still exist over the impact having shops on the site would have on Truro city centre, which is nearby.

Marsh's report states: "There are therefore significant material considerations weighing against approval of the proposal and it is considered to conflict with the Development Plan taken as a whole and is recommended for refusal accordingly."

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CONNELL'S LETTER IN FULL

Cornish Pirates are disappointed to read the planning officers report on the S4C and his recommendation to refuse the application. We find the report to be muddled, repetitive and confusing

Cornish Pirates long term survival as a major force at the elite end of English rugby is inextricably linked to the S4C development located close to the heart of the Duchy population.

The Stadium saga has been going on for seven long years and it appears to have come to this, surely after seven years it must have been possible to reach a united position with all stakeholders.

This is a sad and poor reflection of the process and this must be examined.

Cornwall Council determined three years ago that the Stadium at Langarth Farm was the most appropriate location across Cornwall but that there needed to be a private sector lead solution to the funding.

This has been meticulously developed to the stage of a legally binding S106 agreement now in place

Cornish Pirates have always believed and have repeatedly stated that the whole S4C infrastructure project would rival Eden Project and the Maritime Museum as a major new revenue generator.

S4C is a true community facility for sport (including Truro City football club, Cornish Rebels rugby league, Cornish Sharks American football), for business (including conferencing, education, apprenticeships) and entertainment (including hospitality, concerts). 

We now have a new Government in place that appears to be operating in overdrive whilst the various opposition parties take time to reflect on their election defeat.

Talk of a Northern powerhouse and devolved powers to major cities has a particular resonance with Cornwall.

An approved S4C delivering all the community benefits that appear to be acknowledged within the officers report can link with the proposed devolved powers to Cornwall along with the various new infrastructure projects agreed or under consideration in creating a Cornwall Powerhouse.

What a prospect but for that to happen a determination to implement a clear vision has to be paramount and the Officers report miserably fails to recognise this opportunity

It is now down to the members of the Strategic Planning committee on 30 July to demonstrate a political will and to support a vision that can significantly contribute towards a regenerated Cornwall

This opportunity will die unless we grasp it with both hands and which much of Cornwall wishes to see delivered

Ian Connell
Chairman
Cornish Pirates