GRIMSBY Town club bosses say they are determined to persevere with proposals for a new stadium off Peaks Parkway.
The renewed impetus for the stadium came despite Grimsby Town FC parting company with consultants Simons Developments.
The developers were due to come up with a scheme based on retail outlets which would also be a new home for the football club.
An initial deadline for a proposal at the end of last month passed without a feasibility study.
That fuelled speculation among opponents of the stadium development at Peaks Parkway that the stadium would not be built.
But in a statement, the club's director, John Fenty, said: "Alternative ideas are being progressed including other users which do not involve Simons Developments."
He said finding retail backers to enable the stadium to be built was "proving difficult in the economic climate".
He said the club had teamed up with consultants Clark Weightman to draw up a new plan. Mr Fenty said: "The club is therefore taking the lead in the planned relocation and remains optimistic that it can succeed.
"The club wants to thank Simons Developments for their considerable expertise and help they provided in its endeavours to find a new home.
"Simons Developments remain convinced that Peaks Parkway is an excellent location for development and wish the club all the best in their planned relocation."
Mr Fenty said: "It is a terrific location and has terrific access with good links to the town and is good for the away supporters coming to the club."
The director said the scheme was vital for the club's long-term survival. He said: "But it won't happen unless we find an enabler and that is what we are working on."
The club boss said a feasibility study will be drawn up before including new stadium proposals in the new Local Plan.
It is being drawn up for North East Lincolnshire. The initial proposal for the 22.7-hectare plot of land off Peaks Parkway was for a new stadium – which could also have community use – and a retail outlet.
But Councillor Andrew De Freitas, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Park ward member, called for a statement from North East Lincolnshire Council.
He said: "They were due to come forward with plans for a football stadium. But that time has expired and there is no submission."
The councillor said the borough's Local Plan would have to include plans for a stadium if it was ever going to be built.
Councillor De Freitas said: "It looks to me as if Peaks Parkway is out of the window. It does not appear to be viable and thank God for that."
He added: "The people in the Weelsby Avenue area would be very relieved if Peaks Parkway is off the menu."
A spokesman for North East Lincolnshire Council said until any developer had submitted plans there could be no comment.
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