Exeter City announce start date for St James's Park development

Exeter City have announced that work on the development at St James's Park will begin next month.

Contracts have been signed to commence the work on the stadium, following what City described as two years of complex negotiations.

The developers plan to start the work next month, breaking ground on a project that began with a feasibility study in 2006.

Chairman Julian Tagg said: "We are delighted to announce that contracts have finally been signed for the stadium improvement works at St James Park. This is the culmination of over two-and-a-half years of incredibly complex negotiations."

The development sees the club's Old Grandstand – built in 1926 – being replaced with a new stand, the club's away end being rebuilt, and student accommodation, with 312 beds, being built behind the Big Bank.

As part of the scheme, new changing rooms will be constructed under the Main Stand, with replacement toilets and refreshment facilities being provided for the Big Bank – this is the stage of the work that will start next month.

Following the completion of these works, anticipated to be in November, the Old Grandstand will be demolished, followed by the construction of the new stand, with this phase of the work also including the demolition of the away end and a new stand, purchased from Barnet, being erected.

The overall completion date of the project is expected to be October 2018.

Tagg added: "This has been a drawn out and complicated process. But none of it would have been possible without the brilliant unwavering support and backing that the club has received from the city council, the dogged determination of club leads David Lee, Mike Phillips and Justin Quick, alongside Andrew Davis of Yelverton, who has moved mountains to breathe life into this project. The club will be ever grateful to them all."

Martin Weiler, chair of Exeter City Supporters' Trust, added: "This is a massive step forward for the club which will mean that facilities for both home and away fans will be vastly improved. As a supporter-owned club we are delighted that these enhancements are now going to take place."

Fans with Old Grandstand season tickets will be relocated to the main stand, whilst the capacity for away fans will be very restricted during the construction period.

Some items of historic interest will be removed from the Old Grandstand for display at St James's Park, whilst the club are also exploring ways in which fans can purchase seats and other memorabilia, with an announcement set to be made in due course.

Good on them, should be a tidy if slightly lopsided ground when finished.
What will the capacity of the away end be? and the total capacity of St James Park?

Wonder if they'll put a small terrace between the new grandstand and the Big Bank to fully utilise the space available

It looks crap but still far better than what brent and hallett are proposing

Note to BRENT...Work to start next month which is close season, not your touted January mid season for our effort, not that anyone with intelligence expects it to start then

Given that contracts have been signed, a start date has been agreed and everything seems to be proceeding well, it's clear that Akkeron are not involved.

PlymptonPilgrim wrote:

Given that contracts have been signed, a start date has been agreed and everything seems to be proceeding well, it's clear that Akkeron are not involved.

PlymptonPilgrim wrote:

Given that contracts have been signed, a start date has been agreed and everything seems to be proceeding well, it's clear that Akkeron are not involved.

And another tell tale sign is that the fan owned Exeter won't be putting the £3.5 million build costs onto the club with a mortgage, unlike Brent and Hallet's plan for so-called Plymouth Argyle. Who said private ownership was the way forward ?

beesrus wrote:

PlymptonPilgrim wrote:

Given that contracts have been signed, a start date has been agreed and everything seems to be proceeding well, it's clear that Akkeron are not involved.

And another tell tale sign is that the fan owned Exeter won't be putting the £3.5 million build costs onto the club with a mortgage, unlike Brent and Hallet's plan for so-called Plymouth Argyle. Who said private ownership was the way forward ?

No that's right, Exeter Council are funding it through the sale of land behind the ground for student flats - rather than sell home park perhaps PCC could have done similar - bet that would have gone down well!

MAK, Brent knew darn well when he took on the "there's a deal to be done for me" that Home Park was rightly subject to huge restrictions on what could be developed in Central Park. If the freehold had stayed with PCC, some time or other a suitable deal for the private football club and the public purse and much loved municipal park could have been reached, similar to the Exeter deal, but of course without the housing that should never be allowed in Central Park. Not everything on this planet relies on the euphemistic student housing routine that will laughed out to sea in 40 years.There's plenty of other funds out there to be tapped.

Like it or not, the two football grounds are situated in totally different surroundings. And just as importantly, the Exeter club is owned by a fans trust and they have decided the way forward up there. I cant think of a better scenario than that which Exeter have engineered. If only the private owners down here had struck a deal with the council before the freehold of the stadium was purchased. And of course, up until 12 months before the purchase was made, we were treated to Brent saying he hadn't even considered purchasing the freehold in the previous 4 years. LOL. LOL.

Down here,  we are now left with the stadium owners continuing a year on year vigil to nibbling into parkland and permissions,  where they can get a right royal one off bunce.  God save me from the same old same old. It's how supply and demand and animals work, if left unattended outside of real community control.
I await being told what an utter bore I am from the usual suspect who never ever uses the park apart from a beer fuelled trip to the turnstiles twice a year.

they are better off buliding a new stadium as they really cant do anything of worth with the stadium given its location.

this new development is pretty much it now and its still leaves them with a small capacity that some ***** want for argyle

It's not just a case of what the football club want. There's a whole community that have power in what goes on. Even Liverpool FC couldn't swing the Stanley Park grab.
A couple of our group popped up to the recent Colchester game. To say they were disappointed with the new outta town stadium would be an understatement. They were horrified. Not their idea of a weekend following the greens around the country, and it won't be repeated. Who on earth would want to come to a Plymouth game when they are corralled into some field with a concrete bowl next to the Langage power station ?

beesrus wrote:

MAK, Brent knew darn well when he took on the "there's a deal to be done for me" that Home Park was rightly subject to huge restrictions on what could be developed in Central Park. If the freehold had stayed with PCC, some time or other a suitable deal for the private football club and the public purse and much loved municipal park could have been reached, similar to the Exeter deal, but of course without the housing that should never be allowed in Central Park. Not everything on this planet relies on the euphemistic student housing routine that will laughed out to sea in 40 years.There's plenty of other funds out there to be tapped.

Like it or not, the two football grounds are situated in totally different surroundings. And just as importantly, the Exeter club is owned by a fans trust and they have decided the way forward up there. I cant think of a better scenario than that which Exeter have engineered. If only the private owners down here had struck a deal with the council before the freehold of the stadium was purchased. And of course, up until 12 months before the purchase was made, we were treated to Brent saying he hadn't even considered purchasing the freehold in the previous 4 years. LOL. LOL.

Down here,  we are now left with the stadium owners continuing a year on year vigil to nibbling into parkland and permissions,  where they can get a right royal one off bunce.  God save me from the same old same old. It's how supply and demand and animals work, if left unattended outside of real community control.
I await being told what an utter bore I am from the usual suspect who never ever uses the park apart from a beer fuelled trip to the turnstiles twice a year.

Exactly my point - argyle and city's circumstances are totally different - pointless comparing and unfair to suggest city's approach is better when under any scenario to replicate it at home park would have required over-developing central park

I was trying to illustrate that the football club here would have fared better financially if Brent hadn't acquired HHP behind the ground and then bought the freehold. He's sitting on most of any scrutinised uplift in land value rather than PCC. The council would have eventually cobbled together an acceptable plan with other outside funding. Now its just a padlock job like so many sites in the city. Land banking.

What role does Akkeron play in HHP. I've heard that they have an office(s) amongst it all. Probably Akkeron staff too.
You just know that some sort of rent will be involved. Can't imagine who benefits.

harvetheslayer wrote:

Note to BRENT...Work to start next month which is close season, not your touted January mid season for our effort, not that anyone with intelligence expects it to start then

It wont happen Jimmy, is a serial non developer,what follows will be a  long list of delays and excuses till even the hardcore happy clappers realise Jimmy, is allergic to cement and investing in argo!

Rollo Tomasi wrote:

What role does Akkeron play in HHP. I've heard that they have an office(s) amongst it all. Probably Akkeron staff too.
You just know that some sort of rent will be involved. Can't imagine who benefits.

If akkercon do have an office at hp perhaps someone could pop in and ask what happen to the Liverpool money?

Freathy wrote:

It looks crap but still far better than what brent and hallett are proposing

I'd swap Exeters fit for purpose brand new Grandstand any day against Jimmy and Si's, no roof January sundeck mankover that benefits only the Prawnies.

Im sure the sponsors cant wait to dine in the new, luxury portakabins.

beesrus wrote:

MAK, Brent knew darn well when he took on the "there's a deal to be done for me" that Home Park was rightly subject to huge restrictions on what could be developed in Central Park. If the freehold had stayed with PCC, some time or other a suitable deal for the private football club and the public purse and much loved municipal park could have been reached, similar to the Exeter deal, but of course without the housing that should never be allowed in Central Park. Not everything on this planet relies on the euphemistic student housing routine that will laughed out to sea in 40 years.There's plenty of other funds out there to be tapped.

Like it or not, the two football grounds are situated in totally different surroundings. And just as importantly, the Exeter club is owned by a fans trust and they have decided the way forward up there. I cant think of a better scenario than that which Exeter have engineered. If only the private owners down here had struck a deal with the council before the freehold of the stadium was purchased. And of course, up until 12 months before the purchase was made, we were treated to Brent saying he hadn't even considered purchasing the freehold in the previous 4 years. LOL. LOL.

Down here,  we are now left with the stadium owners continuing a year on year vigil to nibbling into parkland and permissions,  where they can get a right royal one off bunce.  God save me from the same old same old. It's how supply and demand and animals work, if left unattended outside of real community control.
I await being told what an utter bore I am from the usual suspect who never ever uses the park apart from a beer fuelled trip to the turnstiles twice a year.

Not at all. I happen to agree with most of this and our politics are closer together than you know.

What irks me with your outpourings is your musing on the team when you never actually watch them....

Your legacy, not mine.

Innocent Egbunike wrote:

beesrus wrote:

MAK, Brent knew darn well when he took on the "there's a deal to be done for me" that Home Park was rightly subject to huge restrictions on what could be developed in Central Park. If the freehold had stayed with PCC, some time or other a suitable deal for the private football club and the public purse and much loved municipal park could have been reached, similar to the Exeter deal, but of course without the housing that should never be allowed in Central Park. Not everything on this planet relies on the euphemistic student housing routine that will laughed out to sea in 40 years.There's plenty of other funds out there to be tapped.

Like it or not, the two football grounds are situated in totally different surroundings. And just as importantly, the Exeter club is owned by a fans trust and they have decided the way forward up there. I cant think of a better scenario than that which Exeter have engineered. If only the private owners down here had struck a deal with the council before the freehold of the stadium was purchased. And of course, up until 12 months before the purchase was made, we were treated to Brent saying he hadn't even considered purchasing the freehold in the previous 4 years. LOL. LOL.

Down here,  we are now left with the stadium owners continuing a year on year vigil to nibbling into parkland and permissions,  where they can get a right royal one off bunce.  God save me from the same old same old. It's how supply and demand and animals work, if left unattended outside of real community control.
I await being told what an utter bore I am from the usual suspect who never ever uses the park apart from a beer fuelled trip to the turnstiles twice a year.

Not at all. I happen to agree with most of this and our politics are closer together than you know.

What irks me with your outpourings is your musing on the team when you never actually watch them....

Your legacy, not mine.

That's all it is you utter bore, a musing. Don't be so precious.

beesrus wrote:

Innocent Egbunike wrote:

beesrus wrote:

MAK, Brent knew darn well when he took on the "there's a deal to be done for me" that Home Park was rightly subject to huge restrictions on what could be developed in Central Park. If the freehold had stayed with PCC, some time or other a suitable deal for the private football club and the public purse and much loved municipal park could have been reached, similar to the Exeter deal, but of course without the housing that should never be allowed in Central Park. Not everything on this planet relies on the euphemistic student housing routine that will laughed out to sea in 40 years.There's plenty of other funds out there to be tapped.

Like it or not, the two football grounds are situated in totally different surroundings. And just as importantly, the Exeter club is owned by a fans trust and they have decided the way forward up there. I cant think of a better scenario than that which Exeter have engineered. If only the private owners down here had struck a deal with the council before the freehold of the stadium was purchased. And of course, up until 12 months before the purchase was made, we were treated to Brent saying he hadn't even considered purchasing the freehold in the previous 4 years. LOL. LOL.

Down here,  we are now left with the stadium owners continuing a year on year vigil to nibbling into parkland and permissions,  where they can get a right royal one off bunce.  God save me from the same old same old. It's how supply and demand and animals work, if left unattended outside of real community control.
I await being told what an utter bore I am from the usual suspect who never ever uses the park apart from a beer fuelled trip to the turnstiles twice a year.

Not at all. I happen to agree with most of this and our politics are closer together than you know.

What irks me with your outpourings is your musing on the team when you never actually watch them....

Your legacy, not mine.

That's all it is you utter bore, a musing. Don't be so precious.

Geddafockon

Redevelopment work at St James's Park is well underway, with the toilets in the Big Bank stand and the away end in the process of being demolished.

Exeter City's away stand has been turned to rubble as redevelopment continues at the ground, with the old grandstand also to be demolished ovher the coming weeks.

The St James Road perimeter wall and concrete terracing are in the process of being removed, and there was mixed reaction from Grecians fans on social media.

The Big Bank turnstiles have also been knocked down, as drainage is currently being installed for the new toiles in the stand, which will be relocated.

Last week, Exeter City chairman Julian Tagg told Devon Live the money received from the Grecians' trip to Wembley will be welcome as attendances will be limited due to the works.

He said: "It's very different to what we thought before and, whilst there's still water going under the bridge at the moment and we haven't got the final figures from Wembley yet, we're anticipating somewhere between £150,000 and £200,000.

"Of course that's a hugely significant amount of money - not as much as previous but that's the way that it works.

"With all the work that's going on at the stadium and all the extra costs that that's bringing, we're trying to do as best we can and those figures are hugely beneficial and welcome."

The development sees the club's Old Grandstand – built in 1926 – being replaced with a new stand, the club's away end being rebuilt,

As part of the scheme, new changing rooms will be constructed under the Main Stand, with replacement toilets and refreshment facilities being provided for the Big Bank

we haven't got the final figures from Wembley yet, we're anticipating somewhere between £150,000 and £200,000.

Hang about. Theyre playoff attendances were a third of ours for semis and finals , yet we were told all money was distributed amongst all tema and there was hardly any profit.

green_genie wrote:

we haven't got the final figures from Wembley yet, we're anticipating somewhere between £150,000 and £200,000.

Hang about. Theyre playoff attendances were a third of ours for semis and finals , yet we were told all money was distributed amongst all tema and there was hardly any profit.

lol jimmys been caught out again.....yet again !

Maybe one day when Argo fans finally realise what brent is up to there'll be demos and a mass boycott ala Blackpool.