Football stadium decision upheld

The football stadium was proposed for a site in Stoke Park

A council's decision to reject proposals for a new football stadium in a Surrey town has been backed by a planning inspector.

The application by businessman Michel Harper, as Trinity Investments Ltd, was turned down by Guildford Borough Council in January 2005.

But Mr Harper had argued that his planned 8,000-seater stadium in Stoke Park would have been a great asset.

The council said the inspector's ruling "fully vindicated" its decision.

"It means the area will remain open and available for public use," said principal planner Dave Barton.

The original planning application was made in 2004 when Mr Harper said he had been approached by AFC Guildford to help the football club find a new ground.

The council said his idea was "totally inappropriate" for the Stoke Park site because of concerns over crowd and traffic movements.