Birmingham & Solihull have taken another step on the road to ground-sharing with Solihull Moors Football Club following the submission of a planning application for Damson Park.
The move will see them move from their spiritual home at Sharmans Cross Road for the start of the 2009-10 season, by which time they hope they will be in the newly rubber-stamped 12-team Championship.
If approved the newly named Borough Stadium will get a major makeover and expanded spectator seating, including a relocation of Bees’ current 1,000-seat stand to the east side of the Damson Park complex, a new third generation artificial turf pitch and enhanced changing facilities.
However, the deal is also contingent on consent being granted for the residential development of Bees’ existing site in central Solihull.
That proposed scheme would see the construction of 87 houses and is sure to attract objections from locals.
In order for Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council to grant planning consent for the re-development, it needs to be satisfied that there will be a net gain for sport in the borough and with that end in mind the clubs will set up the Solihull Sporting Partnership Community Foundation to promote community work throughout the area.
n Tom Hardwick, the son of former Moseley and Royal Navy prop Tim, will make his debut for North Midlands Under-19s in their third and final match of the season, against Yorkshire at Pontefract on Sunday November 30 (2.15pm).
Hardwick, a flanker, is a product of the Wooodrush and Moseley clubs who is now a member of the Worcester Academy. He is also the grandson of former North Midlands President Ken Birrell, who also played in the back row for the county’s senior side.
North Midlands will be captained by centre Stefan Shillingford, the son of former DK flanker Neil.
