Planning Application

Cowdenbeath Football Club has taken an important step towards realising ambitious proposals intended to support the regeneration of Cowdenbeath town centre and safeguard the future of the football club. However, the Club requires public support to make the proposals a reality - you can sign the online petition here.

The two-part proposal would see Central Park (the home of Cowdenbeath FC since 1917) and the surrounding area redeveloped and the football club relocated to a new fit-for -purpose community stadium.

“Staying at Central Park in the long-term is not an option", said Donald Findlay QC, Chairman, Cowdenbeath Football Club.

"Central Park has a proud history but, unfortunately, it no longer meets the needs of the football club while the running costs are extremely high.

"The sustainable future of the Club is dependant on relocating to a purpose-built, low maintenance and income-generating-facility within Cowdenbeath.

“This is a key part of our vision to see the Club continue to flourish on the field and acting as a hub for many community activities. The proposal would safeguard the future of the football club as a community asset and it would also ensure a positive legacy from the redevelopment of Central Park for the people of Cowdenbeath."

The Central Park area has been identified in the Fife Council's Mid Fife Local Plan as a key area for the physical and economic regeneration of Cowdenbeath. Following discussions with Fife Council and recent public consultation events, a formal application (11/01336/PPP) has now been submitted for planning permission for the redevelopment of the Central Park site, which would see the provision of a supermarket, small retail units and housing. The aim is to regenerate the area, create jobs and boost the local economy.

The receipts from the Central Park redevelopment would cross-fund the delivery of a new community football stadium. A formal application is expected to follow in the coming months. The plans for the new stadium are at an early stage but a site in the Broad Street area of the town has been identified by Fife Council and Cowdenbeath FC as the preferred location. The detail will be subject to further community consultation to ensure that the new facility meets the needs of the local community and a progressive football club in the 21st Century.

"The funding of the project will come primarily from the redevelopment of Central Park", commented Scott Brewster, Director, Cowdenbeath Football Club.

"The Brewsters, as the owners, will have to be repaid their initial investment, but the surplus funds along with external funding will go towards the new facility."

Local residents, supporters and other interested parties can voice their support for the proposal by signing a petition which will be available to sign at Stark's Park on Saturday and at Central Park up until 30th April 2011. In addition, you can sign the online petition here.

You can also write to Fife Council (Fife Council Development Services Forth House Abbotshall Road Kirkcaldy KY1 1RU) or leave comments on the Council’s e-planning section of the Council's website - http://planning.fife.gov.uk/online/applicationDetails.do?action=showSummary&caseNo=11/01336/PPP

By supporting the application for the redevelopment of Central Park, local residents and supporters of the football club can play their part in securing the future of Cowdenbeath Football Club and the prosperity of the town which it belongs to.

The plan for a new community football stadium is a key part of a strategy that aims to safeguard the long-term future of Cowdenbeath Football Club and ensure that the Club, once again, becomes a major community asset that the town can be proud of.

Another major part of this vision is the Club's proposed transition from a private limited company to a community interest company (CIC). It is anticipated that, under the CIC structure, the owners, Innovate Cowdenbeath Ltd, will gift their majority shareholding to a community/supporters trust.

Click here to tune into a Blue Brazil TV feature about the proposals.