MAJOR companies are queuing up to build a new stand and possibly a hotel or student flats on the car park at Plymouth's Argyle's Home Park stadium.

'Household name' British and multi-national firms are putting their names forward, with bids having started to pour in as soon as trade papers revealed the football club was looking for a 'development partner' to work with it on the long-term project.

They are sought-for ideas on providing a 'mixed use scheme' at the site, which could include a hotel, student/key worker accommodation, conference and banqueting space, 'leisure' facilities and a retail sports outlet.

It is up to Argyle, the developer and Plymouth City Council to agree on a plan, but it is thought a hotel and student flats are likely in what could be a skyscraper overlooking the stadium.

The firms bidding, who have not been named, will be whittled down to form a shortlist.

They must provide detailed evidence of their experience, finances and ability to handle a major project.

Bids must be in by August 8.

It is expected the development partner will be chosen by the end of this year, following a three- stage selection process.

Plans would then be drawn up next year and work could start on site by 2010.

Argyle, who bought the football ground for £2.7 million last year, aims to develop 5.5 acres, about half the entire site.

The club has brought in Bristol-based property consultants GVA Grimley, the fifth biggest in Britain, to help it find a partner.

GVA Grimley director Richard Clarke said interest in the opportunity began as soon as it was advertised in Estates Gazette on Saturday.

“We have had telephone calls and emails constantly,” he said. “Primarily from the UK but a few are quasi-global. It's stimulated a lot of interest.”

He said several 'specialist providers' had come forward, such as firms dealing with hotels, 'sports retail' and student/key worker accommodation.

“Quite a number of names that people will recognise,” he said.

After August 8, a shortlist will be drawn up based on factors for each firm including financial standing, who they have in their team, their ideas for the site and whether they can build a 'commercially viable' scheme.

Between four and eight firms will then be asked to submit plans and may be interviewed by the Argyle board.

Two or three companies will then progress to a 'final shortlist', where they will have to provide 'worked through proposals', from which a final decision will be made.

Mr Clarke said it would be years before the development was completed.

“This process takes years,” he said. “It'll be several years from now before we will have whatever it is coming out of the ground.”

The ultimate use and shape of the buildings would not be decided until the development partner and Argyle submit ideas.

“Plymouth Argyle have not got anything in mind, that's why we are going out,” Mr Clarke said.

“We could get all sorts of ideas.”

But he stressed any plan would be driven by a commercial element.

Several football clubs – including Stoke City, Norwich City and Leicester City – have recently seen hotels built close to their grounds.

Mr Clarke said by providing a hotel, student accommodation and leisure facilities the area could be used all week.

“Then you provide vitality,” he said.

He said stadia across the country are looking at increasing the 'length of stay' of fans, encouraging them to come earlier and stay later than the match.

People living and staying at the site could also use the proposed Life Centre sports arena nearby.

Students would be handily placed for the university, City College or to use buses to get to Derriford Hospital if taking medical or nursing courses.

Mr Clarke also works with the University of Plymouth and said it has already shown an interest in what the site could be used for.

“They are always keen to have more student accommodation in Plymouth,” he said.

Mr Clarke said the site would suite a skyscraper.

He said: “My personal view is it would be a fantastic location for a landmark building, high enough to have restaurant/conferencing facilities on the top floor, with a fantastic view of the stadium, the city and the Sound.

“Whether the planners would agree with that remains to be seen.”

The Central Park Area Action Plan supports any application proposing uses in line with the council's aim of promoting youth and community engagement with sport and fitness.

Mr Clarke thinks a sports 'supermarket' is unlikely, though, because of the size of the site.

But a 'mall' could be incorporated into the new stand, housing club merchandise.

The new south stand could also include club offices, changing rooms and media facilities.

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