The meeting will be held at the Winding Wheel conference, exhibition and entertainment centre in Holywell Street, Chesterfield and will be open to the public but admission will be by ticket only, obtainable from Chesterfield Town Hall, first come, first served with a limit of two tickets per applicant.

Chesterfield Borough Council have made the decision because of the amount of interest in Wilson Bowden's planning application for the re-development of the former Demaglass site in Whittington Moor with new retail and business premises and a new stadium for Chesterfield Football Club.

If the plans get the green light it is but another important step on the way as the planning process is unlikely to be finally concluded until October 2008.

A Borough Council spokesman said: "This is an important application in which there is a high level of public interest."

"There has been talk for many years of Chesterfield Football Club moving to a new ground and exhibitions and public meetings held so far to discuss this planning application have been very well attended."

"We are, therefore, moving the planning committee meeting to the Winding Wheel to ensure that there is more room for members of the public who wish to attend. However, space is limited so the ticket-only system will make sure it is properly managed." 

Applications for tickets, which are free, can be made in person to: Planning Reception, Chesterfield Borough Council, Town Hall, Chesterfield S40 1LP.

The Council spokesman stressed that people attending the meeting can do so as observers only, apart from those who have made comments in writing as part of the consultation process on the application and have asked in writing to address the Planning Committee.    

The Plans

Property developer Wilson Bowden acquired the 22 acre site at Whittington Moor formerly occupied by the Demaglass factory in late 2005 and has completed a major demolition and decontamination programme in preparation for development. 

As well as a new 10,000 plus seater stadium for the football club, the proposals include plans to relocate the existing Tesco from its current location on the opposite side of the Inner relief Road from the former Demaglass site.