The Community of Madrid (CAM) has "failed to approve official modification plans" for the site where Atlético Madrid’s new ground is being built -- "putting the club’s move to the yet-to-be-completed arena in jeopardy," according to Jorge García of AS. Officials from CAM -- the local government body for the autonomous region of Madrid -- reportedly rejected the Urban Planning documentation that was submitted to it due to "substantial errors." Approval "is essential" so that Atlético can be "transferred ownership of the plot and change the use of the stadium from public to private," thus fulfilling the agreement the club signed with Madrid City Council over the project back in '08. The City Council "only processed the necessary documents earlier this month" after 19 months of preparation and delays. CAM, however, "reviewed and sent back the documents within just 10 days." The City Council "expected resolution of the matter" before Dec. 31, however the files it submitted "contained several errors relating to the number of square meters of the surface of the plot." After realizing the error days after submitting the documents, "the council sent a correction letter." However, CAM did not accept the letter and sent back the files requesting the mistakes be rectified and then be resubmitted for approval. Although this "could cause substantial further delays," the club said that the process "will not prevent the team from moving to the stadium in time for next season." Officials at the La Liga club, however, "will surely now be sweating over the approval of the new submission plans, which could take up to four months" (AS, 12/21).
