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Gills alter stadium plans after land dispute

By: Bob Bounds

Published: 13:58, 08 June 2012

Gillingham FC have altered their plans for a new stadium in Medway after opposition from a landowner.

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The Gills have removed six acres of land at Mill Hill, off Yokosuka Way, Gillingham, from their vision after objections from horse owner Sharon Spencer.

She was offered £30,000 an acre for her plot, plus a further £100,000 if the stadium gets built.

Miss Spencer, of Lower Rainham Road, rejected the offer and said she was still opposed to a stadium in the area despite the club’s concession.

She said: "I still think any stadium there would be horrible. I don’t see why they even need it in the first place.

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"Everybody I’ve spoken to is against it." Miss Spencer’s plot of land had been earmarked for a tennis academy as part of the development. She was told of the change in a letter sent by the club.

As well as a 15,000-18,000 capacity stadium, the project on the more than 30 acres of land includes a supermarket, petrol station, fast food restaurants, fitness centre, shops, nursery and tennis academy.

Sharon Spencer is against plans for a Gills stadium on her land

Gillingham have long harboured hopes of moving from Priestfield – the club’s home since it was founded more than 100 years ago.

Gillingham chairman Paul Scally has said the project is the last hope for the club if it wants to remain in the Towns.

The club would push forward with its plans for Mill Hill, despite the Chatham Docks project being approved last week.

Mr Scally had claimed that the two plans wouldn’t be workable, because both have huge supermarkets.

Superstores are needed to make both projects financially viable, and Mr Scally argued having two so close together wouldn’t work.

Docks developers Peel has said the "door is still open" for Gills to become involved in the rival project.

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