The ownership of the R Costings Abbey Stadium and our prospective move to a new location have been issues for many years.

With the recent Planning Inspector's report on the South Cambridgeshire Development Plan, which stated that the potential stadium site at Milton, promoted by Church Manor Estates, should be ruled out as unsuitable development in the Green Belt, Cambridge United are now focused on the existing Newmarket Road site and will work to redevelop it for the club's passionate fans.

Cambridgeshire Horizons, local authorities and sports bodies - including the Cambridgeshire Football Association and Cambridge United - have been involved in the preliminary planning process for a new community stadium but, due to the ruling in August, the club will now focus on the Abbey, which has been United's home since 1932.

U's Chairman Paul Barry commented, "The site at Milton, promoted by Church Manor Estates, was one of three identified by Cambridgeshire Horizons, with the club providing tacit support to the process until more defined plans came through.

"The idea was for a Community Stadium provided to Cambridge United in a high profiled location with potential conference facilities allowing the Club to have income seven days a week. However, the Planning Inspector's ruling has put the issue of a relocation on the back burner for at least ten years."

Paul added, "Cambridge United is and has been at the heart of the community in Cambridge and I believe we now must focus on our current location. Of all the various football stadia I have visited around the world, my favourite ones are those right in cities.

"Fans are at the heart of the atmosphere created at stadia, and with our passionate fans, staying at and improving the Abbey would be my personal wish."

There will be a Q&A with Paul about the ground issues at a later date.

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