COUNCIL leader Terry James has revealed that talks have yet to formally start over the purchase of the leases to Hereford United's Edgar Street ground, writes Ian Morgan.

James said that the leases would be the subject of future negotiations between lease owners property company Chelverton, Herefordshire Council and other interested parties.

The future existence of Hereford United rests on the outcome because the football club acknowledge that they alone will have no means of repaying Chelverton with a £1 million loan plus interest by May next year.

The council leader has also outlined his principle proposals for the Edgar Street and Cattle Market site, which incorporates the football ground.

James has suggested that Edgar Street should become a multi-sports and leisure centre, with a grandstand of the football ground developed into incorporating a separate exhibition and arts area, and another stand left for the development of the hospitality club and a social side.

James said: "Because the development would be divided into four elements - two managed by the public sector and a third by the commercial sector - it will only require 25 per cent of the building to be maintained by the club itself."