Edinburgh Monarchs’ hopes of building a new stadium in Livingston have been dashed after West Lothian Council sold the land to another bidder.
The SGB Championship side have been given notice to vacate their current Armadale Stadium home and had hoped to purchase land in Livingston for a new multi-purpose West Lothian Community Stadium.
However, their plans have now been derailed leaving them with an uncertain future.
West Lothian Council, though, say they had a ‘legal duty’ to obtain the best price for the land at Deans Industrial Estate while the Monarchs say talks are ongoing to discuss all possible options going forward - including remaining at Armadale Stadium.
A Council spokesperson told the Courier: “West Lothian Council, as a public body, has a legal duty to obtain the best price possible when selling land in a commercial transaction. This represents best value for the council, local services and the public purse.
“The funds raised from the sale of the land will be invested in local services.
“This land was marketed through June and July and offered to all interested parties for lease, sale or community use. Two offers for the land were received and it was determined that Mr Stewart’s offer to purchase the land represented the best value to the council, being the highest offer.”
They added: “The land at Dunlop Court has been sold to Mr Cameron Stewart for £400,000. Mr Stewart is a well-established business owner and his proposed plan for the site is to develop new commercial business space to serve the local economy.
“The Edinburgh Monarchs are a privately owned commercial enterprise and are therefore subject to the same procedures and governance as other external parties.
“It has always been made clear to the Edinburgh Monarchs that this land would be openly marketed and open to public sale.”
The Monarchs say they ‘firmly believe’ their bid offered ‘best value’ to the community with Development Director Gordon Campbell commenting: “West Lothian Community Stadium is a fantastic proposal that would deliver significant social, economic and community benefits to the local area and across West Lothian.
“Monarchs firmly believe that our bid offered best value to West Lothian and we are extremely disappointed that a portion of the Council Executive voted to approve a rival bid for the site.”
He added: “The support for the new stadium from the local community has been tremendous and we feel this strongly demonstrates the desire to see this facility delivered. West Lothian Community Stadium would be constructed at no cost to the Council and would be an excellent asset to the area.
“Our first enquiry to the Council regarding the site occurred 14 months ago and since then the process and timeline of the sale has been lumbering. The severely frustrating decision goes in the face of initially supportive words from across the Council, along with strong support from elected members and in the local community.
“Monarchs remain fully committed to securing a new home for the Club and delivering the extensive associated benefits for the local community.”
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