CRUNCH talks are set to take place over the sale of the County Ground.

Swindon Town struck an agreement with landlords Swindon Borough Council almost three years ago which would see the club take ownership of the stadium in a joint venture with the supporters' trust.

It was announced at the time that, subject to cabinet approval, the football club and the trust would purchase the site’s freehold for £2.2 million.

The three groups will meet to discuss the plans on Wednesday, March 16.
A potential sticking point at the meeting could be a difference in the valuation of the ground from both sides.

READ MORE: Swindon Town reach agreement for County Ground sale

In Town's December advisory board meeting notes, it says: “The valuation of the County Ground has been carried out by both parties with the Trust and club's at c£1.9m and Swindon Borough Council at c£2.5m. The valuers are now meeting to agree a valuation range with TrustSTFC picking up the costs on behalf of the club and the supporters.”

It added: “It was noted that post a decision made by SBC in February to sell the County Ground to STFC and the supporters that the Asset of Community Value (ACV) requirements may delay completion for a number of months in order for other community groups to express an interest in the County Ground.”

As part of the sale agreement to the joint venture company, which is a 50-50 partnership between Town and the trust, the stadium will be leased back to the football club for 250 years.

The council says this will allow the football club to “redevelop the stadium to maximise revenue and to improve the facilities for all the community”.

The news in March 2019 broke 13 months after both the football club and the trust continued with their individual efforts to purchase the ground’s freehold themselves.

In 2017 the Trust had a £1.1m offer rejected by the council. Similarly, the council rejected an offer from the football club at the start of 2018.

Town were owned by Lee Power at the time but were taken over by Clem Morfuni last summer.

Swindon Town FC and Swindon Borough Council both declined to comment on the latest development when contacted.

But, speaking at the time of the announcement in March 2019, council leader David Renard said: “That’s why I think it’s the best thing that it’s a combination of the club and the supporters’ trust that is buying the ground – it means there’s protection for the club, the fans, the community and the council.”

A covenant placed on the land by the Goddard estate, which originally owned it, ensured that once the council sold the ground, it wouldn’t be turned into housing for a quick profit to the club.

Coun Renard added: “That covenant is still in place and it says the whole site must be used for sports and leisure purposes and I don’t imagine the Goddard estate would be looking to lift that covenant.

“Any further development would have to go through the planning process and be approved by the planning committee at the borough council anyway.”