ONE of York City FC's potential new owners has met council chiefs to discuss plans for a new 15,000-capacity, all-seater stadium.

But John Batchelor said he had yet to hold detailed discussions on potential stadium sites.

Instead, he said last night's meeting with council chief executive David Atkinson and various planning officers discussed "community facilities" the stadium would include.

Mr Batchelor, owner-driver of the Honda Integra Racing Team, said that after speaking to fans he was prepared to include a terraced area that could be converted to seating if necessary.

He said: "I didn't get site specific. Instead, we met and discussed the sort of facilities we feel we want to include in any stadium we were to build.

"Anything we can do to bring people into York City has to be good for the club. We are looking at community sports facilities, things to get people involved.

"There could even be an auditorium of some sort included."

Mr Batchelor said that retaining a standing area would "not be a problem" in the new stadium.

He added: "It would be done so that the standing could be converted to seats as and when the club started to move up the leagues.

"We accept we might not get the gates we would want in the lower leagues and so if a standing area helps create atmosphere then all the better."

Asked why he was aiming for a 15,000 capacity stadium in the face of City's low average gate, Mr Batchelor said: "There is no point being unambitious.

"It makes the stadium more versatile. It is not our intention to endure low attendances," he added.

Mr Batchelor said he hoped to hear whether his bid had been successful by March 1.

"I accept that date may be optimistic, but as far as the whole process goes I feel confident and excited," he said.

Updated: 11:15 Wednesday, February 20, 2002