Rose Bowl development ploughing ahead (From This is Hampshire)

Rose Bowl development ploughing ahead

10:17am Wednesday 4th November 2009 in

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ROSE Bowl bosses vowed last night to plough ahead with their mammoth building project despite a possible legal battle hanging over their heads.

The challenge could come from hotel firms who have threatened to launch a judicial review into Eastleigh Borough Council’s controversial decision to shell out £32m of taxpayers’ money for a hotel and conference centre on the West End cricket and entertainment venue.

But Rose Bowl chairman Rod Bransgrove said he was unconcerned as he celebrated the start of work on a £48m development that will change the face of the home of Hampshire cricket.

“So far one has not been launched. We have a sound and robust commercial arrangement with Eastleigh Borough Council and we are not in the least bit concerned about the review.”

He told the Daily Echo: “We are confident the arrangement would stand up to any scrutiny. This is a momentous day for the Rose Bowl and me as it is the result of more than a decade of work and planning.”

The massive investment by Eastleigh Borough Council makes the authority the largest investor in the development.

The hotelier leading the calls for a judicial review is Moez Janmohamed, Meridian Leisure Hotels boss, who owns a Holiday Inn on the site.

He said: “This is a terrible gamble to make with taxpayers’ money and frankly it blows my mind that the council think they have any business getting involved in the hotel business.

“It is a huge risk and we have demanded to see all the paperwork as we have our doubts over whether due diligence has been carried out.”

He went on to say it was “extremely likely” a judicial review would be launched this week.

In addition to the 175-bedroom hotel and conference centre – thought likely to be a Hilton – there will also be new seating for an extra 5,000 spectators bringing the capacity to 25,000.

There will also be a new entrance to improve access and the nine-hole golf course extended to championship size.

Throughout the debate Eastleigh Borough Council has defended its position and insists it has minimised risk and its paperwork will stand up to the closest scrutiny.