Feasibility study for Cornish stadium published

A feasibility study into plans for a stadium in Cornwall has been published.

The best potential site for the 10,000-seat facility would be at Threemilestone, near Truro, and would cost between £14m and £24m, it said.

Gardiner and Theobald, which drew up the study for Cornwall Council, said it could create up to 400 jobs and attract a visitor spend of up to £3m a year.

Truro City Football Club and the Cornish Pirates rugby team were both stakeholders in the study.

'Positive benefits'

The £78,000 study, which was commissioned by the council, recommended a 10,000 capacity "enhanced stadium" option at Langarth Farm, which included fully-fitted community and commercial facilities, plus a business centre.

Cornwall Council said when it commissioned the study in 2010 that, if built, the stadium would help nurture regional sporting talent to compete on a national scale.

The study looked into possible locations, its design, potential tenants, the capital and revenue implications and the options for the management of the stadium.

It had also been proposed that the venue could host music events, helping to boost the tourism industry.

The council then said last December that no public money would go towards its building because of spending cuts, but it decided that the study should be completed to see what it recommended.

After the publication Carolyn Rule, cabinet member for the economy and regeneration, said the study meant she "encouraged by the positive benefits a stadium could bring to Cornwall".

But she added: "The stadium must not be an ongoing cost for the council tax payer, so I welcome further work and discussions with partners to consider the best options for actually delivering a stadium for Cornwall."

The council said the findings would be examined by the cabinet at its next meeting on 16 March.