LONDON - Arsenal have fended off a court challenge to their new soccer stadium, clearing the last obstacle to construction of the 60,000-capacity ground in north London.
A number of local businesses and property owners had asked London's High Court to quash the decision of Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to confirm a compulsory purchase order for their land so the stadium scheme could go ahead.
They argued the order was for an "improper purpose", namely to benefit only Arsenal, rather than the public at large.
In Tuesday's ruling the judge backed the club. "The council was entitled to make use of Arsenal's desire to have a new stadium to produce and promote a scheme which it regarded as a comprehensive redevelopment of the area in the public interest.
Arsenal are scheduled to play at the new £357 million-pound ($967 million) stadium from the start of the 2006-2007 season. It is situated a short distance from the 38,500-capacity Highbury ground, the club's home since 1913.
- REUTERS
Soccer: Arsenal clear final court hurdle to stadium project
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.