The old school on Grove Street

As I watched the match, my mind drifted (I was quite bored).

I'll not post about the scoreboard, or the half time entertainment but ask about the school. What's happening? Progress has been made in clearing the ground this year, is something to be built? Will it prevent changes to the West stand should we ever wish to make any changes?

 

Houses

 

People will move into the new houses, then in 2034 complain they can’t get out on match days and finish up on front page of Chronicle

 

This will happen. They'll also complain of the noise on match days, particularly on an evening match.

 

If we had any sense the club would make sure it gets planning permission in for a BIG west stand before any development of the school is finished so that any future residents can't halt any future progress.

 

The new houses will have a lovely view once the club is sold down the river and knocked down. As said, does not bode well for developing a stand that has needed it for years.

 

The council owns the stadium.

 

And the club are long term tennants aren't they? So the club can apply for planning permission

 

But they'll save on the electric bill when floodlights are on

 

I don't see a problem with the West stand developments, the East stand's footprint is no bigger than the West stand's is now so we could easily put a replica of the East stand up without encroaching significantly onto Grove street.

 

That’s like me planning to grow a fringe.

 

Problem is we'd never fill it!

 

The problem is and has been for years I believe the terrace that remains.A replica stand to the east would prevent natural light in those properties.

 

We could fill it. Make it free for all kids between 5 and 12 to go if they attend a school in the Barnsley borough.

 

Doesn't prevent the club from putting in a planning application. I could put one in to build on the club car park if I wanted.

 

We could lobotomize everyone in the catchment area to come and watch a load of crap once or twice a fortnight. It worked for 10 or 11 thousand (whatever it is) a few extra thousand wouldn't hurt .

 

Trouble with that is it’s way too high, would never pass planning as would block the natural light out

 

Like I say, I plan to grow a fringe. Just as futile.

I find it bizarre that after another embarrassing home defeat, witnessed in person by about 6,000 fans at best, there’s talk of planning permission, a new stand and so on.

 

Fair point but it wouldn't be as high since the ground falls away from the pitch under the East stand. When you stand outside the East stand you are significantly below pitch level, likewise when you stand on Grove street you are significantly above pitch level. So the roof of a new West stand similar to the East stand would be a lot lower with respect to Grove street. But you may be right, it would be higher than the existing West stand.

 

This is a dying club, we are bleeding money, no thanks to the poor running of the club by the current owners. Crowds are dwindling at a fast rate, & I can only see a bleak future. At some point I fear Oakwell will be no more, & a cheaper alternative sourced to match the level we’ll be at at the time, which could possibly be non league.

A tough & important couple of years coming up for the club. Do the owners have the bottle to learn from past mistakes, or will the decline continue?