WORK on providing Whitton United with a brand new ground is expected to remain on hold for the next three years.

When originally announced that there were going to be major changes at their King George V ground, Old Norwich Road, Ipswich it was expected that houses would be on their current pitch by now.

But Graham Emmerson, who is secretary and treasurer of the King George V Trust, says that the economic recession has had an effect with no property developer yet to come onboard.

“We are anticipating a three year wait,” he said. “All the surveys have been done and we are waiting to go.

“But the whole project will cost �millions building homes on the current site – with Whitton’s new state of the art stadium situated at one end.

“The economic climate needs to improve, and it is a case of sitting tight.”

The former Tooks bakery site has been flattened adjacent to the King George V ground and it is intended that this is included in the overall plan to include build affordable housing and a doctors’ surgery in the project.

Emmerson has nothing but praise for the way Whitton United have turned things around after having to disband their first team two years ago.

“They have re-emerged with renewed vigour and energy and that’s a big credit to them.

“They have got their act together and achieved much in fund raising terms and all this is great to see.”

The Trust is a non-profit making organization and the money made from the building of houses will finance not only Ridgeon League Whitton’s stadium but also a side next to Whitton Church lane where four pitches would be laid and nine dressing rooms and referee room.

“Planning permission has been obtained for that,” added Emmerson. “And we need to have some money left over to enable us to sustain the running costs of both sporting centres once they are built.”