Anyway, what actual developments have their been since last week’s joyous announcement? Well, because the decision went against various local plans and recommendations, it has to be referred to the Scottish Executive. I had previously thought this would delay things a lot; however it seems that they need to call a public enquiry within 28 days or we are home free. Seven days have already passed, fingers crossed that the remaining 21 days pass and we can move on to the next stage of the process. From reading the web, it seems that it is only the applications to build a stadium on Greenhill Road that can be called in, and this seems unlikely, even according to councillors!. More good news is that the people who objected to the applications cannot appeal, unless they go through the courts, so at the moment we are looking fairly good.

It was widely expected that if planning permission was given for a supermarket to be built on Love Street, finding a buyer would be a doddle. This seems to be the case, with reports that a few supermarkets are going to be in a biding way for the site. Wal-Mart have been linked to a purchase over the past few months, a bit strange considering they have a big Asda out at the Phoenix. Also linked with a bid are Tesco, who have had plans to build a supermarket at Reid Kerr College knocked back. I have no idea what other supermarkets, if any, want it but a bidding war is good news for us as we should get a bit more money!

Saints chairman Stewart Gilmour has posted on one Saints website that we’re looking at another two years at Love Street whilst everything is sorted out, with a year being needed to sort out the cost of the project and then a year being needed to build it. The various lengths of time we have left have varied depending on what you read, but as this comes from the chairman I think we can assume he is right. Various obstacles, such as purchasing the land and finding a buyer for Love Street, still have to be overcome which is why we still have a wee while to go. It has not yet been revealed yet what will happen if Saints manage to win the first division next season, with Love Street needing undersoil heating t allow us to be promoted. Previously I had thought the new ground would be ready and we wouldn’t have a problem. Hopefully something can be sorted out if we do manage to win the league.

Stewart Gilmour also speaks about the stadium in today's Daily Record, click on http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/sportsweek/tm_objectid=15577670%26method=full%26siteid=89488-name_page.html to read what he has to say.

With planning permission for the two sites now granted (as long as we get approval from the Executive) it is expected various parts of the process will fall into place pretty quickly. Whatever happens, it seems that Mirren Mad will be a place to keep an eye on over the next 12 months as I post news nicked from elsewhere.