In a recent development, Herefordshire Council has abandoned the proposal to include student flats in the rebuilt stand at Hereford FC’s Edgar Street stadium. The Blackfriars End stand, located to the south of the ground, had been fenced off and subsequently demolished due to safety issues last year. The council, which owns the ground, had initially expressed interest in incorporating student accommodation into the reconstructed stand, but now, in conjunction with a new plan to redevelop the Merton Meadow area to the north of the ground, they have decided to drop the student accommodation plan.
According to the head of housing development, Steve Holland, the football ground plan did not align with the anticipated student numbers in the city and other ongoing developments. Meanwhile, James Newby, president and chief executive of NMITE, expressed the institute’s commitment to accommodating the increasing number of students in the city through constructive discussions.
Hereford FC chairman Chris Ammonds refrained from commenting on the stand announcement or the potential loss of parking around the ground, deferring such matters to the council. He did, however, confirm the installation of new floodlight stands closer to the pitch after the current season concludes.
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Despite the suspension of the student flats plan, the council has not provided details regarding the removal of the existing pylon-like structures. No comments were available from the Hereford United Supporters' Trust at the time of reporting.