JOHN Fenty has urged the public to ignore the "horror stories" about the Mariners' proposed new stadium.
North East Lincolnshire Council's Cabinet this week approved a 12-month 'exclusivity agreement' to allow the club to look at how it could redevelop land west of Peaks Parkway into a new 14,000-seat stadium and retail development.
The Mariners believe the 22.7-hectare site – which includes allotments and a former council depot – could finally allow them to relocate from Blundell Park.
Town director Fenty said: "The extension will give us more time to look at the enabling side of the project because we know a football stadium can fit there and can harmonise with the immediate locality.
"Whilst there are some horror stories being spoken about in opposition to the move, I think we can appease those in total and actually provide some benefits to those living down Wintringham Road in terms of the congestion they currently incur.
"With a lot of the traffic linked with funeral ceremonies and school arrival and departure times, some or all of that could be brought off Peaks Parkway.
"So I can see material benefits potentially, as we evolve this project, for the residents in the local area.
"Naturally there will be some issues that we can't fully resolve, but I think we can do a lot to mitigate the impact on the community."
