The demolition of the Blackfriars End at Edgar Street is now a step closer after Herefordshire Council appointed a contractor to carry out the work.
The Blackfriars End at Edgar Street
Pennys Group Ltd, based in Ston Easton near Bath, will demolish the stand this summer, with work initially scheduled to begin on June 3 and be finished by August 30.
The firm, which has been in business for more than six decades, will be demolishing the stand, groundsman's store, toilets, former United in the Community building, part of the entrance stalls (existing brick boundary wall to be maintained) and the former public toilets.
As part of the decision, the council has agreed to spend £92,752.10 for the works, which includes a contingency of up to £12,098.10
There is also £8,065.40 set to be spent on internal and external professional fees.
A report, signed off by Sarah Jowett, the council's strategic assets delivery director, said if the work is not carried out, the stand - which is not included in the lease to the football club - is at risk of needing improvements, potentially costing the council extra money. It said there is also a health and safety risk associated with not carrying out the demolition.
There is also a risk that once on site, further works are found to be needed so the contingency money is there to cover "unforeseen elements".
The iconic floodlight pylons will be retained for the time being and separate documents said the stand and buildings are not safe to use and beyond economical repair. It is part of the council's masterplan to redevelop the site, incorporating accommodation for students, as well as a stand for the club's 'basic needs'.
READ MORE: Pictures show what new Blackfriars End stand and student homes could be like
As part of the works, asbestos will need to be removed by a licensed contractor and the site cleared and levelled, including the toilets at the rear of the terrace used by Blocks C and D.
The existing boundary wall and access gates off Blackfriars Street and Edgar Street will remain, and the council hopes to recycle more than 95 per cent of all waste.
A temporary hoarding will be built to segregate from the rest of the football ground, but existing emergency vehicle access to the football pitch from Blackfriars Street will be maintained. The water tanks used for the pitch's sprinkler system should also be retained.
Pictures submitted with the application also show the extent of the cracked terrace of the Blackfriars End, as well as various walls around the stand. Areas are also overgrown, with other walls leaning.