Wheels site update (current info)
So ... as a new thread to cover current issues/status
The Wheels site is not for sale yet.
The recent outline planning consent application for warehousing, made by the Council itself, is not an application to build the warehousing - the granting of outline planning permission will increase the price that they can put the site on the market for - when that time is right. The OPP gives indication to potential buyers that the Council planning committees are open to the idea of development of the site.
If the council had applied for outline planning permission for the potential to build a stadium complex on the site then that would have been extremely restrictive to others who MAY be interested.
For brief but sketchy explanation of differences and advantages between outline planning permission and detailed planning permission see [urbanistarchitecture.co.uk]
Blues will be the first to be notified when the property is going to go on the market. In advance of it actually hitting the market
Previous agreed written deal that Blues had of "first refusal" is no longer valid as the Commissioners have since been appointed and their legal brief is to raise as much revenue as possible
The potential deal, that both Blues and Birmingham City Council wanted for a straight swap of St Andrews site (massive potential as social housing development with all needed infrastructure already in place) will not be allowed by the Commissioners (probably) as that was also potentially a way of BCC keeping any revenue from a straight sale of the Wheels site out of the clutches of the Government.
To those asking why we would have a 60,000 stadium when we can't fill a 28,000 one. That somewhat misses the point. Main idea previously spoken about and discussed (but nothing actually firm) was for a three tier 60,000 stadium.
15,000 on first tier,
25,000 on middle tier,
20,000 on top tier.
The top tier wouldn't have any season tickets sold at all and no seats would be sold on the top tier for matches until we got to the point where we were attracting over 40,000. The top tier (for football) would have wrap around banners so the actual part of the stadium below (40,000) would be full and the rest of the stadium wouldn't look like empty seats.
For concerts, boxing matches etc then the whole stadium would be opened (60,000)
If we got to the point where we were regularly getting much bigger crowds than 40,000 then the top tier would have season tickets sold
Anything else ?
Oh yes, the interview with the "Friends of Birmingham Wheels" group on Central News that people reported as saying "they want to buy the site" .... are people having a laugh ???
The "Friends of Birmingham Wheels" group are merely making a public request that "whatever" development happens that SOME provision is made to keep some sort of motorsport on the site.
People need to realise just how massive the Wheels site is - even when Birmingham Wheels could have as much space as they wanted they only took and needed a small proportion.
... Medco House - the massive warehousing/factory complex on the edge of the Wheels site - yes, Blues did buy it (through a proxy company, for just under £6 million) even though they haven't publicly confirmed it. It was a sensible purchase if they ever move to the Wheels site - another 6.86 acres on top of the 44 acres of the Wheels site and there is another 14 acres of associated land owned by BCC also there. If Blues don't move to the Wheels site then obviously Medco House won't be needed and will be sold. The purchase of Medco House does not confirm that Blues are moving to the Wheels site, it was merely the sensible thing to do in case they DO move to the Wheels site in future.
If you look at articles from when Brady and Sullivan wanted to build a super casino on the site it confirms the 60 acres total
[en.wikipedia.org]
Current St Andrew's site covers merely 7.5 acres ... about 12.5% of the Wheels site.
Oh, one more thing ...
The Smithfield site ... leaving aside any points about suitability, availability, practicality etc - Blues have made zero requests for info about the site to date.
Hope that helps ... all info correct as per 13/01/24