RFU Stand Development Deemed "High Risk"

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 14th Jul 2003

An internal accounting report for the RFU has shown that there is a looming budget crisis at the RFU.

The report - by the late Alan Young - states that the South Stand redevelopment could be "high risk" financially and may be deferred for some years.

Vincent Cable, MP, has written to Francis Baron, the RFU Chief Executive asking for urgent clarification of the position in view of the fact that planning permission for the new stand is being sought in September.

He said: "The RFU has, so far, handled public consultation over the new stand very well. They must keep the local residents informed if there is to be a change of plan. There are several questions which present themselves immediately."

"What now happens to the houses along Whitton Road that are

being evacuated for demolition? Will the project be redesigned and if so what will happen to the public area which is one of the community gains from the development. If the RFU is in financial difficulty, does this mean more money raising events which will impact on the community?"

"The RFU has worked hard in the last few years to improve previously poor relations with local residents and I hope the new set of financial problems will not affect these improvements".