Cannock Stadium in Staffordshire is up for demolition following the recommendation of Cannock Chase District Council.

The council said that since its closure in July last year, the stadium had become a magnet for antisocial behaviour and that since the secretary of state refused planning consent for its redevelopment into housing, it should be demolished.

The demolition would cost £100,000 compared to the £60-80,000 per year to keep the building and employ security.

A campaign group called Save Our Stadium (SOS) has said it will continue to protest the decision, favouring instead the creation of a new community trust scheme to run the facility.

According to local paper, the Express and Star, the group has written to council leader Stephen Brown to call for a meeting between the council, Sport England, Stafford and Cannock Athletics Club, Cannock Chase Football League, The Co-operative Society and any other interested party to discuss the possibility of setting up a trust.

The paper quoted SOS chair Alan Pearson as saying: “I have had many residents asking me about the stadium and calling for it to be reopened. People were not happy about the closure in the beginning and replacement facilities are not turning out to be suitable for various groups, such as Cannock Chase Football League.”

However, Cannock Chase District Council leader, Neil Stanley, countered: “Any trust has got to be in a position to fund the restoration plus the running costs of the stadium. It is not a realistic proposition.”