COUNCILLORS will visit Aberystwyth Town Football Club before deciding whether to approve the development of a further 24 apartments and a new 500-seat stadium.

The plans, which also include new changing rooms, a lounge bar, and changing and leisure facilities, are the second phase in a major redevelopment of the football club following the approval of 33 apartments and a new 3G pitch in October.

After officers recommended approving the second phase plans in principle last week, members of the council’s planning committee yesterday (Wednesday) voted to convene a site inspection panel meeting before making a final decision.

Councillors heard that the main concerns surrounding the development relate to fears over flooding as well as a potential noise nuisance for residents both during and after construction.

Despite Natural Resources Wales warning that the site was a flood plain, they did not object to the plans and officers said the potential for nuisance was balanced by the benefit of the facilities to the community, and because the plans conform with the LDP housing strategy.

A site inspection meeting was held last year following the football club’s first phase application, and the vote for another visit was close, with nine votes in favour and six votes against.

The site inspection will take place before the next planning committee meeting on Wednesday, 13 July.

See next week’s Cambrian News for the full story