REGENERATION bosses in Southampton have held back on giving a full £1 million in cash towards the Saints project of building a new Dell in St Mary's.

Fears were raised over the issue of contributing such a large sum to a private company, and it was agreed at a meeting last night around a quarter of it should be held back pending further discussions.

However, the regeneration board approved plans to spend £739,000 on road improvements needed for the new ground, after it was argued that the works were needed by the community.

Some of those who opposed the Dell application, including Harjap Singh, voted against this payout. He argued: "Such a large amount of public money should not go towards the club. It's just transferring its business from one side of the city to another - the money could be spent much more wisely.''

But Saints are contributing an estimated £1.6 million towards the roadworks, including building a footbridge across Northam Road. The regeneration cash will pay for junction improvements at Britannia Road and Northam Road, a cycleway, access to the new footbridge and closing off Radcliffe Road.

The rest of the £1 million grant earmarked for a homework club inside the new stadium was held back after many board members said they weren't convinced the football club was putting in enough money.

Regeneration funds were being asked to pay out £260,000 towards putting a homework club and transferring the City Training Centre inside the new Dell.

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