Pompey amend stadium plans

Portsmouth have had to move their plans for a new stadium because the Royal Navy intends to base two new super aircraft carriers close to the original site.

The Hampshire club have shifted the site for the 36,000 seater stadium to Horsea Island from the Hard where its proximity to the Royal Navy base was a cause for what the club described as "operational and security concerns".

Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie is confident the move will not delay the new ground and said: "The club is delighted that the Royal Navy here in Portsmouth is to be the home for the new carriers and destroyers."

He added: "Clearly our plans have had to change as a result. We have always had a very good working relationship with the Royal Navy and once the new commissions were confirmed the Navy and the city council encouraged and worked with us in identifying another waterfront site for the stadium.

"The new site fits all the criteria as before and, in addition, creates new opportunities which will also enable us to be in the new stadium by 2011 as originally planned."