Enabling works begin on new Morecambe FC stadium

Work has started on levelling the site and creating a new access junction on Westgate ahead of construction of the new stadium in the summer.

Manchester-based Redhouse is project managing the site development works. The new stadium complex will include community pitches, a hotel and restaurants. The outgoing ground at Christie Park was sold to Sainsbury's.

Andrew Watt, partner at planning adviser on the scheme, Maze, said: "There's nothing more satisfying that seeing several months worth of discussion and paperwork translated into a live development project. When the stadium starts to come out of the ground in the summer there should be a real buzz about the place. It's an important development for Morecambe as a whole – forming part of a wider range of initiatives to modernise the resort and give residents access to first class facilities.

"A football club like Morecambe is a real focal point for the community – through its development plans the club is committed to refurbishing a park adjacent to the new stadium and to providing a range of community accessible all-weather sports pitches for football, tennis, hockey and basketball on the Westgate site."

The new ground will be ready for Morecambe FC to begin playing the 2010/11 season.