The M.U.E.N.'s story.........
A legal challenge over football club FC United’s proposed new home has moved a step closer to court.
The club, formed in protest at the Glazer family takeover of Manchester United, was granted planning permission last year to build a 5,000-capacity stadium on Ronald Johnson Playing Fields off Lightbowne Road in Moston.
But campaigners opposed to the £3.5m development launched a protest, claiming that the planning process was flawed.
A residents’ group fighting the stadium plans announced its intention in July to seek a judicial review.
Now the M.E.N. can reveal that a formal notice of an application for a judicial review has been lodged with Manchester council.
The residents’ group, Residents United Residents Association (RURA), said papers had also been lodged with the courts.
A judge is now likely to rule on whether a hearing is justified.
In a statement, the non-league club said: “Manchester council has received notice of an application for judicial review. As we have previously explained to co-owners, this could cause a delay to our build programme.”
Bosses said the club would be speaking to the council to further assess the situation.
Annette McGovern, chair of RURA, said: “The judicial review process has started. Manchester council has 21 days to respond to it.
“It is now official. It is something that we have worked towards – a step forward.”
Any challenge is likely to be mounted at the High Court in London.
The council said it could not comment on the development due to the ongoing legal process.
The M.E.N. reported in August that FC United were to step up security at the site, which was previously used by Moston Juniors, after a spate of attacks. Attackers used weedkiller to burn out 10ft-high letters spelling out ‘No to FC Utd’ on the land, poured concrete into goal posts and sprayed anti-FC United graffiti on a container.
The club said more than 5,600 residents sent letters of support to the council over the development.
Dictionary defininition of a 'spate' "A large number of similar things or events appearing or occurring in quick succession:" So that would be three then would it, three things = a spate, hmm great journalism.