Following an informal meeting yesterday, representatives of Cambridge United and Whitehill Allotment Society (WAS) have reached an outline agreement over the Abbey Stadium redevelopment. They are confident that this will be beneficial to both 'sides' of this long-running issue and the joint statement reads as follows:

"CUFC and WAS together hope that if the redevelopment is approved then the City Council can ensure that the stadium redevelopment proceeds with the following points taken into account:

1. Reduction in the originally proposed land take for the redevelopment
2. Adequate replacement allotments being found
3. Appropriate compensation for the allotment society
4. An agreed changeover schedule project plan respecting wildlife and the gardening calendar
5. Respect for habitat value of land along Coldham's Brook
6. Compensation for displaced allotment holders
7. Help with preparation of replacement allotments
8. The Club pledging it would not require any further allotment land.
9. WAS support for the redevelopment through the forthcoming stages of the process.

This partnership has been arrived at in the interests of good neighbourliness and future partnership."

Tony Chapman of Whitehill Allotment Society said, "These terms represent an overall benefit for the allotment holders, and we're pleased that we've been able to meet the football club's needs."

Cambridge United chairman Reg Smart added, "I am most heartened by this support from Whitehill Allotment Society. The club now hopes to be able to carry out the redevelopment of the Abbey Stadium with the backing of our neighbours."

Director Gary Harwood commented, "I am delighted that, as neighbours, we have been able to reach an agreement that we are both happy with. An awful lot of the credit for reaching this agreement must be given to the allotment holders and Councillors of all parties for understanding what the redevelopment means to the future of the Club and their positive willingness to work with us over the last couple of months to reach a solution.

"All being well, given this agreement, the application should be approved at next week's meeting of the Council's planning committee. Assuming it is we then need to make sure that the DETR process proceeds without delay and work hard to ensure its success. We will then be at a point when the funds can be put in place and timetables for the redevelopment can be agreed.

"Today is an important day in the Club's history and I thank the allotment society and Councillors for all their efforts in getting us to the point of 'seeing light at the end of the tunnel'. Fingers crossed now for next week."

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