LOCAL residents have given a mixed reaction to York's community stadium plans, with some welcoming the design while also raising concerns about traffic.

A drop-in exhibition was staged at Huntington yesterday about the proposals for an 8,000-capacity stadium, swimming pool, sports hall, gym, adventure play zone, cinema, shops, restaurants and community hub at Monks Cross.

Developers Greenwich Leisure Ltd said beforehand that it wanted to give people the chance to view its plans in detail and provide feedback before submitting a planning application to City of York Council next month.

A steady stream of residents turned up including Ian Davidson, who lives nearby in Brockfield Park Drive. He said he would welcome the chance to go and watch York City play so close to home, but had concerns about fans causing chaos by parking in already congested streets near his house.

He was told there would be parking for 400 fans near the ground and shuttle bus services were proposed to get many fans to the matches.

Dave Jobling, vice chairman of Huntington Parish Council, was also concerned about traffic congestion on local roads, particularly at peak times such as Saturdays, when shoppers were flocking to Monks Cross at the same time as when matches were being played.

Geoff Machin, a York City season ticket holder, also welcomed the chance to see York so near to home and also praised the design. "I like the scheme," he said. "It's a fine stadium."

Andrew Moulds said he lived near the proposed stadium and only had one concern - the behaviour of away fans outside his home. He said he had been assured there would be significant stewarding on match days.

The developers said people's views would be taken into account and the plans could be altered to take them into consideration before the application is submitted.

They said that, subject to planning permission being granted, they hoped work could start by next summer and be completed by the summer of 2016.

  • The same public exhibition will be staged today between 10am and 4pm at West Offices, City of York Council's headquarters in Station Rise.