BLACKPOOL soccer fans just want to see a stadium built as soon as possible - and they do not care who builds it.

That was the message of Blackpool Independent Supporters Association as news broke that a second scheme is being submitted to Fylde planning committee.

Blackpool FC directors are putting in their own plan for a 40,000-seat stadium at Whyndyke Farm within a fortnight. A scheme from landowners' company Windsor Management for a 25,000-seat stadium and 8,000-seat arena on the same site is already being assessed by Fylde planners.

Relations between club directors and landowners broke down last November over the land-sale.

The directors are still pursuing legal action to force the landowners back to an agreement drawn up two years ago.

But, to show continued commitment to the new stadium, the directors decided to put in their own application, even though they own no part of the land.

With the club unable to go ahead without the land, and the landowners unable to go ahead without the club, the fans are frustrated.

BISA spokesman Malcolm Andrew said: "Our main concern is that time is running out for the current stadium and the fans are not bothered who builds the new one or even what size it is as long we get a new ground to play on."

The landowners' 25,000-seat plan has been backed by club vice-president David Haythornthwaite, whose consortium bid £4m to buy the club in December. Club chairman Vicki Oyston said the club was not for sale.

Mrs Oyston said: "We felt the planning application was something we ought to do to demonstrate our continuing commitment to the stadium scheme.

"We want the landowners to honour their original agreement with us, and all this other business is something of a block in between."

The directors' 40,000-seat scheme is based on the original drawn up two years ago by developers McAlpine and includes other sports facilities, a hotel, two restaurants and a pub.

Fylde planning chairman Councillor Bill Thompson said his members were likely to favour the 40,000-seat application, not only because they like the idea of a major multi-event stadium under one roof for concerts and conferences, but because the road system was preferable, with a spur off the M55 rather than the congested Preston New Road.

A decision is expected by May.

A fans' forum planned by Vicki Oyston for January 21 at the Tangerine Club has been put back to 5.30pm.

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