City's vision

The highly-detailed plans not only include architect designs and drawings but also expert reports on planning and traffic issues.

They are in sharp contrast to the City of York Council's phased development plans, leaked to the Evening Press and revealed on Wednesday.

The local authority's blueprint, which involved the retention of the running track and the building of temporary stands before building permanent structures at a later date, ran to 12 pages.

It made no mention of costs, the need for toilet and catering facilities, extra turnstiles, a club shop or social club nor did it give a time-scale.

The football club branded the council's proposal as "expensive, ludicrous and illogical".

City's document runs to 66 pages and is so detailed it even recommends the type of bolts that should be used in the building of new stands.

As expected, the club's plans do not include the retention of the running track.

However, a new terraced 'South Stand' would be built to accommodate 2,068 home supporters. The stand would feature offices, a club shop and a supporters' club as well as new toilets and catering facilities.

At the opposite end of the ground, a second new terraced 'North Stand' for away fans, capacity 1,654, would be built, also featuring toilets and catering facilities.

The existing West Stand at Huntington Stadium, currently covered terracing, would be turned into a 1,537 all-seater stand with new food kiosks built.

The ground's present Main Stand would remain largely unchanged, although the plans make provision for an extension, giving a total ground capacity of 6,185.

The report, drawn up by CAD Associates, states: "The immediate vision of York City Football Club is survival.

"The purpose of this project is to provide new foundations for the long-term survival of York City Football Club."

City's plans not only include the exact number of spaces to be provided for wheelchair users but also detail the number of wash-hand basins and urinal spaces to be provided for in the new stands and even the materials to be used in the floors, walls and windows

The club has even commissioned a report investigating the state of existing equipment, such as cisterns, sinks, radiators, alarms and the public-address system, at Bootham Crescent to see whether they could be reused at Huntington.

Anticipating the work will take nine months to complete, the redevelopment is expected to cost an exact £2,894,763.

The estimate makes provision for cycle shelters and racks, new road signs and the need to re-seed the playing surface. Some £140,000 is included in the final price for 'unforeseen works'.

The plans will be on display at City's open day at Bootham Crescent this Sunday (11am start).

Updated: 11:30 Friday, July 11, 2003