Concerns over potential loss of 'valuable' woodland in County stadium extension plan

A PATCH of 'valuable' woodland is at the centre of a row over Stockport County's stadium expansion.

- BY DECLAN CAREY

Campaigners say the club's plans would cause 'irreversible' damage, with the loss of a woodland area behind the Together Stand to make way for a new car park.

The Hatters want to add more than 7,000 seats in a stadium redevelopment.

Last Thursday, councillors at the Central Stockport area committee had a chance to scrutinise the plans for the first time.

The debate led to deadlock, with a vote cast to recommend neither approval or rejection.

It is a setback for the club after the council's own officials recommended the plans should be given the green light.

A final decision will be made by the town hall's planning and highways committee on July 3.

The club hopes the land behind the south stand could become an 86-space car park.

Parking on residential streets is an issue in the area on matchdays.

The Edgeley Wildlife Reserve (EWR) group objected to an element of the proposals relating to the loss of green land behind the south stand to make way for the planned car park.

The group said its objection only relates to the outline part of the planning application.