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Sports Minister sparks Odsal fury
6:43am Monday 10th December 2007
Comments (156) Have your say »
Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe has sparked controversy by describing a key component of the Odsal Sports Village plan as "complete folly".
In a letter to a constituent, the Bradford South MP launched a scathing attack on plans to sell off Horsfall Playing Fields for housing to fund the Odsal redevelopment, saying the proposed sale was unrealistic.
He said the National Playing Fields Association would not sanction it and there would still be a £12 million funding shortfall, adding that the plans for Odsal appeared to change every few weeks.
But the Labour MP's views have drawn strong criticism from Peter Hood, chairman of the Bradford Bulls, and Councillor Andrew Mallinson, regeneration chief for the Tory-led Council.
They say a home-grown MP with Mr Sutcliffe's high profile as Sports Minister should be supporting a plan that could bring social and sporting benefits to the district.
In the letter, Mr Sutcliffe said: "I am concerned Bradford Council appears to be bereft of ideas about how to make any progress.
"Their insistence that the redevelopment of Odsal be dependent upon the sale of Horsfall Playing Fields for housing is complete folly.
"The National Playing Fields Association have made it clear they will not sanction the sale as the plans for Odsal do not provide the necessary level and scope of sporting facility."
Mr Hood, who represents the Bulls on the working group set up to spearhead the scheme, said: "Gerry Sutcliffe has expressed some views in this correspondence that I find somewhat puzzling. I would expect the MP to be 110 per cent supportive of the Odsal scheme."
He said he understood the Playing Fields Association did not have the final say on the sale of Horsfall and added the plan was not dependent on any individual sale of a Council asset.
Mr Hood said: "Gerry Sutcliffe also speaks about a £12m shortfall - as if such a shortfall actually exists.
"More capital receipts have been identified that eliminate the shortfall.
"New money has been sourced from, for example, Bradford College, Yorkshire Forward and other grants, worth a few million, identified by Jane Glaister at the Council.
"The capital funding is sorted out, but how we are going to fund the initial building work will be discussed over the next few weeks.
"We would look to involve a commercial developer that would take a commercial risk alongside the Bradford Bulls.
"I understand that Gerry Sutcliffe has also implied that the plans for Odsal appear to change every few weeks. This has been a process, not of change every week, but gradual refinement as things are integrated."
Councillor Mallinson said: "It's disappointing that the Sports Minister has taken such a negative stance because this scheme, with its sports content, lifts the district to another level.
"Anyone can stand back and criticise, but where is the commitment from the Sports Minister and the Government to support this complex?"
Don Earley, deputy chief executive of Fields in Trust, the operating name for the National Playing Fields Association, said: "They are talking about selling community playing fields of 20 acres to fund the Odsal scheme and that is too much of a loss.
"We made grant aid available 70 years ago that helped to bring Horsfall Playing Fields into use as community playing fields and the Council undertook at that time, as minuted by the old corporation, that that site should remain fields effective in perpetuity.
"We have a contract with them whereby our consent is needed for them to sell the Horsfall. Their proposals don't meet with our approval at the moment."
Mr Sutcliffe responded to the criticism today by saying: "The point is they can't sell off the Horsfall site because they are not offering an adequate or better replacement.
"They have got to be more realistic about what the outcome is going to be. I want to see Odsal redeveloped and have wanted it done for the last 30 years. As it stands at the moment, I can't see it coming to fruition."
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Your Say YourBradford
John Kelly, Bratfud says...
8:26am Mon 10 Dec 07
John Kelly, Bratfud says...
8:26am Mon 10 Dec 07
John Kelly, Bratfud says...
8:26am Mon 10 Dec 07
LeagueJunkie, Lost says...
8:45am Mon 10 Dec 07
LeagueJunkie, Lost says...
8:45am Mon 10 Dec 07
LeagueJunkie, Lost says...
8:45am Mon 10 Dec 07
LeagueJunkie, Lost says...
8:45am Mon 10 Dec 07
T, Queensbury says...
10:30am Mon 10 Dec 07
Bradford lacks even basic facilities like shops so worrying about sports pipe dreams is just a distraction.
T, Queensbury says...
10:30am Mon 10 Dec 07
Bradford lacks even basic facilities like shops so worrying about sports pipe dreams is just a distraction.
T, Queensbury says...
10:30am Mon 10 Dec 07
Bradford lacks even basic facilities like shops so worrying about sports pipe dreams is just a distraction.
T, Queensbury says...
10:30am Mon 10 Dec 07
Bradford lacks even basic facilities like shops so worrying about sports pipe dreams is just a distraction.
Devilsadvokat, Manningham says...
10:44am Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat, Manningham says...
10:44am Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat, Manningham says...
10:44am Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat, Manningham says...
10:44am Mon 10 Dec 07
albion, west riding says...
10:46am Mon 10 Dec 07
If the stadium development had gone ahead after the superdome farce, we could have had years of rugby in a setting to be proud of, years of top event stock cars and speedway(the grand prix for example is a former odsal event, now at Cardiff, bringing in around 50,000 spectators and shown worldwide on tv)and the chance to become a venue for other one off events and concerts.
It is however an indication of what people have come to expect(those who wont have any critical remarks said about Bradford and its council, please take note).
albion, west riding says...
10:46am Mon 10 Dec 07
If the stadium development had gone ahead after the superdome farce, we could have had years of rugby in a setting to be proud of, years of top event stock cars and speedway(the grand prix for example is a former odsal event, now at Cardiff, bringing in around 50,000 spectators and shown worldwide on tv)and the chance to become a venue for other one off events and concerts.
It is however an indication of what people have come to expect(those who wont have any critical remarks said about Bradford and its council, please take note).
albion, west riding says...
10:46am Mon 10 Dec 07
If the stadium development had gone ahead after the superdome farce, we could have had years of rugby in a setting to be proud of, years of top event stock cars and speedway(the grand prix for example is a former odsal event, now at Cardiff, bringing in around 50,000 spectators and shown worldwide on tv)and the chance to become a venue for other one off events and concerts.
It is however an indication of what people have come to expect(those who wont have any critical remarks said about Bradford and its council, please take note).
albion, west riding says...
10:46am Mon 10 Dec 07
If the stadium development had gone ahead after the superdome farce, we could have had years of rugby in a setting to be proud of, years of top event stock cars and speedway(the grand prix for example is a former odsal event, now at Cardiff, bringing in around 50,000 spectators and shown worldwide on tv)and the chance to become a venue for other one off events and concerts.
It is however an indication of what people have come to expect(those who wont have any critical remarks said about Bradford and its council, please take note).
Mick De Bull, Odsal says...
11:11am Mon 10 Dec 07
Mick De Bull, Odsal says...
11:11am Mon 10 Dec 07
Mick De Bull, Odsal says...
11:11am Mon 10 Dec 07
Mick De Bull, Odsal says...
11:11am Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat, Manningham says...
11:23am Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat, Manningham says...
11:23am Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat, Manningham says...
11:23am Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat, Manningham says...
11:23am Mon 10 Dec 07
albion, west riding says...
11:27am Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat wrote:This time it will be the tyres and petrol!
Mick de bull u can leave your car in my drive, no need to change allegiance because of a couple of radios.
albion, west riding says...
11:27am Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat wrote:This time it will be the tyres and petrol!
Mick de bull u can leave your car in my drive, no need to change allegiance because of a couple of radios.
albion, west riding says...
11:27am Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat wrote:This time it will be the tyres and petrol!
Mick de bull u can leave your car in my drive, no need to change allegiance because of a couple of radios.
albion, west riding says...
11:27am Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat wrote:This time it will be the tyres and petrol!
Mick de bull u can leave your car in my drive, no need to change allegiance because of a couple of radios.
Dan155, Bradford says...
11:48am Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat wrote:I don't know where you get that stastic from. City average over 13,000 and the Bulls average over 11,000.
Odsal the once wembley of the north should be renamed " the pit of the north". Odsal has had more plans submitted than the broadway joke. Just demolish it and bulls can ground share with the bantams. Average crowd is only 8000 so why build a new stadium.
Dan155, Bradford says...
11:48am Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat wrote:I don't know where you get that stastic from. City average over 13,000 and the Bulls average over 11,000.
Odsal the once wembley of the north should be renamed " the pit of the north". Odsal has had more plans submitted than the broadway joke. Just demolish it and bulls can ground share with the bantams. Average crowd is only 8000 so why build a new stadium.
Dan155, Bradford says...
11:48am Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat wrote:I don't know where you get that stastic from. City average over 13,000 and the Bulls average over 11,000.
Odsal the once wembley of the north should be renamed " the pit of the north". Odsal has had more plans submitted than the broadway joke. Just demolish it and bulls can ground share with the bantams. Average crowd is only 8000 so why build a new stadium.
Dan155, Bradford says...
11:48am Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat wrote:I don't know where you get that stastic from. City average over 13,000 and the Bulls average over 11,000.
Odsal the once wembley of the north should be renamed " the pit of the north". Odsal has had more plans submitted than the broadway joke. Just demolish it and bulls can ground share with the bantams. Average crowd is only 8000 so why build a new stadium.
Devilsadvokat, Manningham says...
11:48am Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat, Manningham says...
11:48am Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat, Manningham says...
11:48am Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat, Manningham says...
11:48am Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat, Manningham says...
11:50am Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat, Manningham says...
11:50am Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat, Manningham says...
11:50am Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat, Manningham says...
11:50am Mon 10 Dec 07
albion, west riding says...
12:29pm Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat wrote:Oh just shut up.
Bulls dont average 11000 fella, the only game that gets them a decent crowd is leeds. City were averaging less than 7000 until they gave away season tickets.
albion, west riding says...
12:29pm Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat wrote:Oh just shut up.
Bulls dont average 11000 fella, the only game that gets them a decent crowd is leeds. City were averaging less than 7000 until they gave away season tickets.
albion, west riding says...
12:29pm Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat wrote:Oh just shut up.
Bulls dont average 11000 fella, the only game that gets them a decent crowd is leeds. City were averaging less than 7000 until they gave away season tickets.
albion, west riding says...
12:29pm Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat wrote:Oh just shut up.
Bulls dont average 11000 fella, the only game that gets them a decent crowd is leeds. City were averaging less than 7000 until they gave away season tickets.
Philip Simpson, East Coast says...
12:32pm Mon 10 Dec 07
vers and truly backs invention to suit all traits.We used to say 'Where there's a will,there's a way'.....Is there either anymore in this city ?...How sad when considered along side the achievements of our forefathers who built it with loving pride and considerable ingenuity.What,indee
d,have the present tenures of such offices got to offer...How very,very sad the plight from those in whome we trust.
Philip Simpson, East Coast says...
12:32pm Mon 10 Dec 07
vers and truly backs invention to suit all traits.We used to say 'Where there's a will,there's a way'.....Is there either anymore in this city ?...How sad when considered along side the achievements of our forefathers who built it with loving pride and considerable ingenuity.What,indee
d,have the present tenures of such offices got to offer...How very,very sad the plight from those in whome we trust.
Philip Simpson, East Coast says...
12:32pm Mon 10 Dec 07
vers and truly backs invention to suit all traits.We used to say 'Where there's a will,there's a way'.....Is there either anymore in this city ?...How sad when considered along side the achievements of our forefathers who built it with loving pride and considerable ingenuity.What,indee
d,have the present tenures of such offices got to offer...How very,very sad the plight from those in whome we trust.
Philip Simpson, East Coast says...
12:32pm Mon 10 Dec 07
vers and truly backs invention to suit all traits.We used to say 'Where there's a will,there's a way'.....Is there either anymore in this city ?...How sad when considered along side the achievements of our forefathers who built it with loving pride and considerable ingenuity.What,indee
d,have the present tenures of such offices got to offer...How very,very sad the plight from those in whome we trust.
geoffinnes, Bingley says...
12:36pm Mon 10 Dec 07
geoffinnes, Bingley says...
12:36pm Mon 10 Dec 07
geoffinnes, Bingley says...
12:36pm Mon 10 Dec 07
geoffinnes, Bingley says...
12:36pm Mon 10 Dec 07
cibasteve, bratfud says...
12:43pm Mon 10 Dec 07
It'll never happen.
So let's move the Bulls to VP and have a great community stadium in the heart of the one place in Bradford getting money thrown at it.
Manningham Regeneration will ensure a great place for all and as for the car parking issue what are the Street Angels doing on a weekend?
cibasteve, bratfud says...
12:43pm Mon 10 Dec 07
It'll never happen.
So let's move the Bulls to VP and have a great community stadium in the heart of the one place in Bradford getting money thrown at it.
Manningham Regeneration will ensure a great place for all and as for the car parking issue what are the Street Angels doing on a weekend?
cibasteve, bratfud says...
12:43pm Mon 10 Dec 07
It'll never happen.
So let's move the Bulls to VP and have a great community stadium in the heart of the one place in Bradford getting money thrown at it.
Manningham Regeneration will ensure a great place for all and as for the car parking issue what are the Street Angels doing on a weekend?
cibasteve, bratfud says...
12:43pm Mon 10 Dec 07
It'll never happen.
So let's move the Bulls to VP and have a great community stadium in the heart of the one place in Bradford getting money thrown at it.
Manningham Regeneration will ensure a great place for all and as for the car parking issue what are the Street Angels doing on a weekend?
Dan155, Bradford says...
1:12pm Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat wrote:Wrong on both counts, city were averaging over 8,000 until they offered reduced price season tickets. And upon checking the statistics, the Bulls actually average closer to 12,000, do a check on both clubs official websites and the Superleague website if you like.
Bulls dont average 11000 fella, the only game that gets them a decent crowd is leeds. City were averaging less than 7000 until they gave away season tickets.
Dan155, Bradford says...
1:12pm Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat wrote:Wrong on both counts, city were averaging over 8,000 until they offered reduced price season tickets. And upon checking the statistics, the Bulls actually average closer to 12,000, do a check on both clubs official websites and the Superleague website if you like.
Bulls dont average 11000 fella, the only game that gets them a decent crowd is leeds. City were averaging less than 7000 until they gave away season tickets.
Dan155, Bradford says...
1:12pm Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat wrote:Wrong on both counts, city were averaging over 8,000 until they offered reduced price season tickets. And upon checking the statistics, the Bulls actually average closer to 12,000, do a check on both clubs official websites and the Superleague website if you like.
Bulls dont average 11000 fella, the only game that gets them a decent crowd is leeds. City were averaging less than 7000 until they gave away season tickets.
Dan155, Bradford says...
1:12pm Mon 10 Dec 07
Devilsadvokat wrote:Wrong on both counts, city were averaging over 8,000 until they offered reduced price season tickets. And upon checking the statistics, the Bulls actually average closer to 12,000, do a check on both clubs official websites and the Superleague website if you like.
Bulls dont average 11000 fella, the only game that gets them a decent crowd is leeds. City were averaging less than 7000 until they gave away season tickets.
Kevin, Bradford says...
1:30pm Mon 10 Dec 07
Kevin, Bradford says...
1:30pm Mon 10 Dec 07
Kevin, Bradford says...
1:30pm Mon 10 Dec 07
Kevin, Bradford says...
1:30pm Mon 10 Dec 07
Kevin, Bradford says...
1:31pm Mon 10 Dec 07
Kevin, Bradford says...
1:31pm Mon 10 Dec 07
Kevin, Bradford says...
1:31pm Mon 10 Dec 07
Kevin, Bradford says...
1:31pm Mon 10 Dec 07
John Kelly, Bratfud says...
8:26am Mon 10 Dec 07