NSWE Investment

[dave.woodhall]

The park is now one-seventh its original size.

[pauliewalnuts]

I honestly don't think that Nas, Wes and the new Atairos lot will think that they won't bother with a new project because a station is having a bit of an upgrade. It's not our station, and presumably it's not our cash being used to do it up.

That's not the point. The head of WMCA would not be making statements about rebuilding Witton Station if we were leaving. What would be the point? The station is perfectly adequate for daily usage.

Andy Street wouldn’t be up to date with what the club want to do. And as others said, it’s for the Euros and we’ll still be here anyway.

[Olneythelonely]

Have we ever seen gentrification in Birmingham outside of the city centre? Maybe Stirchley ? Genuine question as I don't really spend any time in the South of the city.

Harbourne and kings Heath dragged up Stirchley.  Which is down to the University and QE, rather than anything intrinsic to the area itself.

So if it can be done there then why not Aston?

As an aside to the main issue, Harborne and Kings Heath didn't drag up Stirchley. It's been predominantly local people with vision opening up some wonderful bars, breweries, cafes, restaurants etc.

This

[Risso]

The park is now one-seventh its original size.

I'm sure like most stately homes, at one point centuries ago it probably had most of the local land around it.

[Chico Hamilton III]

I honestly don't think that Nas, Wes and the new Atairos lot will think that they won't bother with a new project because a station is having a bit of an upgrade. It's not our station, and presumably it's not our cash being used to do it up.

That's not the point. The head of WMCA would not be making statements about rebuilding Witton Station if we were leaving. What would be the point? The station is perfectly adequate for daily usage.

Andy Street wouldn’t be up to date with what the club want to do. And as others said, it’s for the Euros and we’ll still be here anyway.

Looking at some voting intention polls this morning, Andy Street might not be the man who will make the decisions

[Exeter 77]

Have we ever seen gentrification in Birmingham outside of the city centre? Maybe Stirchley ? Genuine question as I don't really spend any time in the South of the city.

Harbourne and kings Heath dragged up Stirchley.  Which is down to the University and QE, rather than anything intrinsic to the area itself.

So if it can be done there then why not Aston?

As an aside to the main issue, Harborne and Kings Heath didn't drag up Stirchley. It's been predominantly local people with vision opening up some wonderful bars, breweries, cafes, restaurants etc.

This

Kings Heath hasn't had that effect on the Maypole or Druids Heath though.

[Chris Smith]

Do you think we’d be wanted any more in a different area?

In a less congested residential area closer to the city centre, absolutely. The businesses round there would love it.

Which area, which businesses?

I've no idea. I don't know Birmingham that well, I'm not a chartered surveyor or property developer, and I'm not a billionaire who's just appointed a team of specialist land developers to the board.

So all of those same reasons apply to why we’re not qualified to make the decision to leave the current site in the first place.

Newsflash Chris, whether we're qualified or not, we don't get to make the decision. It's just a discussion. You know like, we don't get to choose who plays out of Moreno or Digne despite our own preferences for one player or another. It's a discussion board, and people are giving their opinions. The club have cancelled plans that had been approved to replace the North. They've now got outside investment from a firm specialising in property development, and have appointed directors from that firm to the board. So that suggests either a complete redevelopment of Villa Park, or building a new stadium.

And in my opinion, the easiest way for that firm to make money is to build a new stadium that is part of a big new mixed use development away from Aston. And I still don't know where that would be, sorry.

I know it’s a discussion which is why I am asking questions of the most persistent voices backing the idea of a complete relocation. I’ve thought a lot about it and I just do t see anywhere that we could realistically move to that improves on where we are. I can see the appeal of having a site close to the city centre but even if a site could be identified I think there would be far too many objections from other businesses, local authorities and the police.

[olaftab]

Has there been a consultation to residents regarding that ?

Haha...yes I have conducted a simple poll by speaking to 5 friend/family members living in Holte and Nelson road and they will be delighted if the club were to make a decent offer for their property and I think that's a representative sample for most.
 Most residents find it difficult to sell and move out because of Villa Park. 

[Somniloquism]

Has anyone asked Royal Mail what they think?

They are making losses and mail delivery is not the size it was when it was built. I'm sure if we offered them a fair whack including enough to relocate elsewhere and still be in profit, it will do for them.

[Somniloquism]

The park is now one-seventh its original size.

I'm sure like most stately homes, at one point centuries ago it probably had most of the local land around it.

Yep, it was only with the ordinance overlay link posted somewhere here several months ago that I realised Sutton Park used to run up to Jockey road and all the land the other side of Monmouth drive was still part of the park less then 100 years ago. (Obviously back in the 16/17th century it probably took up most of North Birmingham.)

[LeeS]

Ultimately, Aston Hall is council owned. A council who are bankrupt. I'm sure they'd accept a generous offer.

[Risso]

Ultimately, Aston Hall is council owned. A council who are bankrupt. I'm sure they'd accept a generous offer.

It's Grade 1 listed, so who owns it isn't really isn't the issue.

[The Edge]

Ultimately, Aston Hall is council owned. A council who are bankrupt. I'm sure they'd accept a generous offer.

It's Grade 1 listed, so who owns it isn't really isn't the issue.

That's the building. The issue is can we buy some of the land.

[AV82EC]

It should be remembered with Listed Building status that it is the structure itself and any outbuildings and other structures that are listed and not the grounds around them which  are deemed non statutory. I’d suggest you’d still have a hell of a fight with BCCs planning dept and people like English Heritage etcetc if you wanted to encroach across Trinity Road towards Aston Hall.

[Pat Mustard]

Essentially there are 3 realistic options as far as I can see, which I assume are being assessed with the new board appointees:

1 - Comprehensive rebuild of North Stand and Witton Lane, then renovations to rest of ground.  This would need the purchase of some or all of the houses on Holte Road and potentially Yew Tree Road.

2 - Rebuild stadium adjacent to current site (similar to Spurs) - we might be able to achieve that by purchasing the properties backing onto the current site on Witton Lane, as well as all properties and land between Witton Lane, Station Road, Manor Road and Witton Station, extending stadium footprint down to new academy building.

3 - New build stadium elsewhere, presumably closer to the city centre.

If it was the centrepiece of a whole regeneration of Aston, then my preference would be the second.  It potentially limits the number of residents/businesses affected, joins up the ground and academy sites, and we could in theory integrate Witton Station into the stadium complex, similar to how it works at Wembley.