THE deal clearing the way for a new 30,000-seater home for Cardiff City will be signed within weeksThe Echo can reveal that Cardiff council is satisfied with the clauses in the proposed heads of terms legal agreement which will now be signed by council leader Russell Goodway and the Bluebirds' owner Sam Hammam.
Once pen is put to paper, it will give Mr Hammam the assurance he has been seeking that the council will not pull the plug on the Leckwith scheme, providing he meets a list of conditions. He will now have to carry out a series of major impact studies, including planning, traffic and retail and obtain planning permission. The application is likely to be called in by the National Assembly because of the amount of retailing proposed as part of the development.
It is understood council leader Mr Goodway has told the Labour group that he was satisfied with the terms of agreement.
A senior Labour source said: "Points of concern were brought up by the council's policy review and performance review scrutiny committee last month but nothing was raised which had not previously been considered.
"Russell will now press ahead and sign the agreement with Sam Hammam within weeks."
A key element of the agreement is a charter on hooliganism which, as revealed by the Echo, involves financial penalties on the club if they fail to address the issue at any time.
Under the deal, Mr Hammam will also have to ensure a replacement for Cardiff Athletics Stadium was fully operational before the present complex was demolished.
The possibility of locating the stadium at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff Cyncoed complex is being looked at by the Cabinet, which has authorised discussions with Uwic. Retailing on the site will help fund the scheme.
Ninian Park will be demolished and redeveloped for housing.
A minimum level of social housing for rent will be included in the proposals in line with planning guidelines.
Timetable for Sam's dream
* OCTOBER 2000: Cardiff City owner Sam Hammam takes a look at possible sites for new Bluebirds' new home.
* November 2000: Leckwith emerges as front-runner for stadium location.
* July 2001: Cardiff County Council's ruling Labour group gives its backing to an initial 30,000-seater state-oftheart complex at Leckwith.
* October 2001: Sam Hamman tells fans about his plans for the new stadium and his hopes for City and Wales. He claims Cardiff will be bigger than Leeds United if the club can reach the Premiership.
* January 2002: Council leader Russell Goodway warns club will pay financial penalties if it fails to control soccer hooligans as part of the deal for the new stadium.
* May 2002: Russell Goodway demands "zero tolerance" on Cardiff City's hooligan element.
* July 2002: Consultants employed by the council spell out huge economic benefits to the city of new stadium.
* August 2002: The Echo reveals that a new Cardiff City home is unlikely to be ready until at least the 2005-6 season.
* September 2002: Russell Goodway signals that signing of agreement with Sam Hammam to develop stadium is just weeks away.