Edgeley Park: Stockport County stadium expansion plans delayed with last-minute twist and decision day drama

A planning application for the expansion was due to be voted on by councillors at a town hall planning committee meeting on July 3.

But new information submitted before the meeting caused councillors to defer the decision, so the information can be properly assessed.

The club’s application will come back before the planning committee at a later date.

Chair of the planning committee, Coun Steve Gribbon, said: “Because of information that has come to light at short notice, we want to make sure that planning officers give us the correct information and the correct decision is made.”

Wildlife campaigners in Edgeley have been calling on the club to re-think part of the application to build an 86-space car park over a green space behind the south stand.

Rob Eyre from the Edgeley Wildlife Reserve group told the Local Democracy Reporting Service this week that losing the green land could “decimate” the animal populations living in the area.

A letter from the group was also sent to the 12 councillors on Stockport’s planning committee, urging them to reconsider the application in light of the concerns.

The stadium expansion would add 7,400 seats and bring the total capacity to more than 18,000 in the redeveloped ground, with a new east stand and south stand.

Last season, the League One outfit made it to the playoff semi-finals but lost out to London-based team Leyton Orient.

County bosses are aiming to bring the club back to Championship-level football as part of the club’s long-term revival.

As part of stadium redevelopment, the club is hoping to offer an ‘improved range and access to high-quality food and drink options,’ as well as better accessibility for fans with mobility issues.

In May, Stockport County’s non-executive chairman Ken Knott said the work would be completed in phases, and could start at the end of next season.

Edgeley Park is the historic home of County, with the club having played there since 1902.