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A hearing was held this morning to determine whether the home of Bolton Wanderers will continue to be listed as an ‘Asset of Community Value’, amid a row between the club and a supporters’ trust.
The Bolton Wanderers Supporters’ Trust successfully applied earlier this year to give the Macron Stadium and surrounding land legal protection, which means it cannot be sold without public notification.
However, Whites owner Ken Anderson appealed the decision to Bolton Council, claiming the ACV is ‘fundamentally restrictive’ to his plans to refinance the club.
At a private hearing today, which lasted around two hours, both sides put forward their legal case and are now awaiting a decision from the council.
Last month, Mr Anderson criticised trust chairman Daniel Izza for refusing to back down over the ACV and claimed that he could not envision the two parties ‘working in harmony’.
The supporters’ trust says that the ACV listing is there to protect the club’s long-term future.
A council spokesman said: “A review of the council’s decision to list the Macron Stadium as an asset of community value has been undertaken and the reviewing officer is currently considering the representations made by all parties. A decision will be communicated in due course.”
No estimated timescale has been given for when a decision will be made.
Mr Izza confirmed that the supporters’ trust lodged an objection to the hearing not being open to the press and public.
He said: “Before the hearing we objected to it being confidential, on the grounds that it was based on a council decision and impacts the community.”
He added that the trust ‘fully supported’ the manner in which Bolton Council had arrived at its decision to grant the ACV listing in February.
Around 60 other football stadiums in the UK, including Anfield and Old Trafford, have an ACV listing.
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The Bolton Wanderers Supporters’ Trust successfully applied earlier this year to give the Macron Stadium and surrounding land legal protection, which means it cannot be sold without public notification.
However, Whites owner Ken Anderson appealed the decision to Bolton Council, claiming the ACV is ‘fundamentally restrictive’ to his plans to refinance the club.
At a private hearing today, which lasted around two hours, both sides put forward their legal case and are now awaiting a decision from the council.
Last month, Mr Anderson criticised trust chairman Daniel Izza for refusing to back down over the ACV and claimed that he could not envision the two parties ‘working in harmony’.
The supporters’ trust says that the ACV listing is there to protect the club’s long-term future.
A council spokesman said: “A review of the council’s decision to list the Macron Stadium as an asset of community value has been undertaken and the reviewing officer is currently considering the representations made by all parties. A decision will be communicated in due course.”
No estimated timescale has been given for when a decision will be made.
Mr Izza confirmed that the supporters’ trust lodged an objection to the hearing not being open to the press and public.
He said: “Before the hearing we objected to it being confidential, on the grounds that it was based on a council decision and impacts the community.”
He added that the trust ‘fully supported’ the manner in which Bolton Council had arrived at its decision to grant the ACV listing in February.
Around 60 other football stadiums in the UK, including Anfield and Old Trafford, have an ACV listing.
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