Wicklow County Council says 'no approach' from Bray Wanderers about rezoning Carlisle Grounds

Wicklow County Council have issued a statement expressing 'surprise' at a document issued by Bray Wanderers today comparing them to North Korea.

Earlier today, Bray chairman Gerry Mulvey released a strange statement in which he revealed the club is in negotiations to buy a new stadium and expects to work with the council to rezone and redevelop the Carlisle Grounds – which the club has no stake in – to finance the move.

The response from Wicklow County Council states that there have been no approach from the club about the plan since Mulvey and then-chairman Denis O'Connor attended a meeting of Bray Municipal District in January.

At that meeting, O'Connor stated that the club had no plans 'whatsoever' to leave the Carlisle Grounds before submitting a five-year strategic plan to detailed plans to do exactly that.

Wicklow County Council Statement:

Wicklow County Council is surprised by the statement issued on behalf of Bray Wanderers today (Thursday).

As landlord of the Carlisle Grounds Wicklow County Council has not been approached or had any discussion with Bray Wanderers with regard to the redevelopment of the Carlisle Grounds.

The Carlisle Grounds are zoned recreational and it is the function of Wicklow County Council to amend zoning.

A representative of the Football Club requested to attend the monthly meeting of Bray Municipal District and did so in January of this year. Their five-year Strategic Plan was presented to councillors at that meeting.

There have been no further discussions on the future of the club with Wicklow County Council.

Wicklow County Council would reject any suggestion that the county is anything other than an excellent place to do business and where enterprise is welcomed and encouraged.