Proposals for Arena 2000, the flagship element at he heart of proposals to create the North Coventry Regeneration Zone and bring jobs and prosperity to a disadvantaged part of Coventry and Warwickshire, have received widespread local support.

All MP’s in Coventry and neighbouring authorities involved in the scheme have been kept informed of progress. Several have written to Richard Cabom, the Planning Minister in the Department of the Environment Transport and the Regions, expressing their support and requesting a conclusion to his considerations as soon as possible.

In a joint statement today, John Fletcher, Ian Bottrill and Denis Harvey, the Leaders of Coventry, Warwickshire and Nuneaton and Bedworth Councils, have said:

"The Arena proposals are of vital importance to the regeneration of the most disadvantaged part of our communities and we believe we have been able to satisfy the Government on all their queries. We welcome the widespread support for the scheme and the acknowledgement of the benefits it will bring to the people of our area and very much hope that Richard Cabom and his officials will now be able to give the go-ahead early in the New Year."