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AFC Wimbledon Going Home

69K views 146 replies 35 participants last post by  derekhales 
#1 ·
http://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/..._turn_stadium_into_football_ground/?ref=fbrec


Wimbledon dog track supports plan to turn stadium into football ground
2:33pm Tuesday 2nd October 2012 in AFC Wimbledon By Lauren May, Reporter

Wimbledon dog track supports plan to turn stadium into football ground
The owners of London’s last remaining dog track have submitted a proposal to turn their stadium into a football ground which could be AFC Wimbledon’s new home.

Merton Council has today received a proposal from the Greyhound Racing Authority (GRA), who own Plough Lane greyhound stadium, which details plans for a 10 to 15,000 seat football stadium.

It also includes leisure facilities, between 450 and 500 homes, and a "substantial" retail store.

It is the first time that the GRA have said they would support a proposal to lose dog racing at the stadium in favour of a football stadium.

In a letter to the council outlining their position, Duncan Parr, director of the GRA, said that they had submitted their proposal following discussions with the Council and the football club.

It said: "The provision of a football stadium for AFC Wimbledon will represent a return of the club to their historic home after over 20 years.

"The social benefits to the local community for generations to come should not be underestimated."

The proposal would also seek to cater for the wider community with coaching courses offered to young people, a retail store and new homes.

In August the Wimbledon Guardian revealed AFC Wimbledon’s own proposals for the site which included building a stadium big enough to hold 12,000 fans, increasing to 22,000.

The project, which the club has said could take 10 years to complete, would cost somewhere in the region of £100m to build on the five-hectare site.

Should a football stadium be built on the site, AFC Wimbledon could return to Merton after its predecessor, Wimbledon FC, left Plough Lane to ground-share with Crystal Palace in 1991.

A rival proposal to a football stadium has also been submitted by Irish businessman Paschal Taggart who wants to build a new £30m four-tier dog racing stadium with a capacity for 6,000 spectators.

The three visions for the site are in response to Merton Council's ‘call for sites’ - which requested those interested in developing a land site in the borough to set out their ideas in writing to the council.

While no planning applications have been submitted, the council will consider the proposals put forward by the GRA, AFC Wimbledon and Mr Taggart.

Councillor Stephen Alambritis, leader of the council, said: "We have tagged the greyhound stadium as a site for sports intensification.

"It could be a football stadium or another bigger and better greyhound stadium, but the sporting intensification part is what is important.

"I wouldn’t rule out a sporting activity such as rugby or two sports sharing together.

"Hopefully the jockeying for position by a number of developers who want to do something with the site will include a football stadium.

"That doesn’t exclude greyhound racing but it’s looking good for AFC Wimbledon."

What happens next?

•Dec 13 - Feb 12, 2013: There will be a public consultation on the 'Call for Sites' submissions;
•The council's Future Merton team will begin "deliverability testing" to evaluate the viability of the various proposals;
•Spring 2013: Results of consultation to be published for public examination;
•Summer 2013: An independent examination of the proposed sites;
•Autumn 2013: A Merton Council cabinet meeting to discuss the council's conclusions and recommendations for Plough Lane and other sites across the borough.
•November 2013 (to be confirmed): A full council meeting at Merton Civic Centre where all councillors can have their say on the proposals to be adopted into the council's official planning policy (the Core Strategy);
•? Developers must submit formal applications to the council's planning committee, made of a cross-party selection of elected councillors who must look at the application in a quasi-judicial capacity.
 
#33 ·
The club has issued the following press release after an announcement that the Planning Committee meeting to hear its planning application for a new stadium in Plough Lane will be held on 10 December.

If planning consent is gained and everything else goes according to plan construction work on the new stadium could begin towards the end of 2016 with the Dons taking up residence for the 2018/19 season.
http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/article/key-date-set-for-stadium-2832733.aspx
 
#35 ·
#39 ·
I like the design, and it's obviously a great location. 20,000 does seem to be a bit on the low side should they establish themselves as a Championship team (or more) in time, although I suppose it would look a bit odd for a League 2 team to be planning for an eventual 30-35k capacity...
 
#45 ·
In a way, part of the difficulty is that Wimbledon (and for the pedants, their previous incarnation) have always been a massive enigma. They hit attendances of 17/18K at Selhurst in PL, however, as a fan owned club I don't foresee how they could reach those heights again.

That said, who was it who did it last time from such an unlikely place? Well...

Anyway, 11K expandable to 20K sounds about right to me. I'd expect most L2 clubs (except the 'non-leaguers' near the foot) to be aiming for 5 figures plus. 20K, discounting away fans, would leave about 16/17K for home fans, which matches their best historical attendances, and would support Championship/PL football, should they reach that level.

Good luck to them, I've always been pleasantly surprised by the complete lack of bitterness or resentment towards their circumstances, and their single-mindeness to better themselves, when we've met AFCW supporters, and let's be honest, no-one deserves a return home more (Since Brighton and before Darlington and Gloucester).
 
#46 ·
In a way, part of the difficulty is that Wimbledon (and for the pedants, their previous incarnation) have always been a massive enigma. They hit attendances of 17/18K at Selhurst in PL, however, as a fan owned club I don't foresee how they could reach those heights again. That said, who was it who did it last time from such an unlikely place? Well... Anyway, 11K expandable to 20K sounds about right to me. I'd expect most L2 clubs (except the 'non-leaguers' near the foot) to be aiming for 5 figures plus. 20K, discounting away fans, would leave about 16/17K for home fans, which matches their best historical attendances, and would support Championship/PL football, should they reach that level. Good luck to them, I've always been pleasantly surprised by the complete lack of bitterness or resentment towards their circumstances, and their single-mindeness to better themselves, when we've met AFCW supporters, and let's be honest, no-one deserves a return home more (Since Brighton and before Darlington and Gloucester).
Agreed I'm very happy they are going home and 20K may be enough I just always think too far ahead
 
#47 ·
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has announced that the Greater London Authority has decided to "call-in" the planning application for a new stadium in Plough Lane.

The GLA will now take control of the decision, which means the consultation process is set to begin again, before a decision is made later in the year.

A new mayor is due to be elected on 5 May so the next incumbent is likely to take over supervision of the process.

AFC Wimbledon Chief Executive Erik Samuelson said that, while the decision is disappointing, he is hopeful it only means a delay for the plans.
http://www.skysports.com/football/n...ans-for-a-new-stadium-have-met-with-a-setback
 
#48 ·
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced that he is returning the decision for our new stadium planning application back to Merton Council.

We welcome this decision and we hope that in the near future Merton Council will confirm that the planning application has been granted.

When this is done it will be a major step forward for the club’s ambitions to return to our home in Merton and a genuine cause for celebration.
www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/new-stadium-update-3263667.aspx
 
#49 ·
Leader of Merton Council Councillor Stephen Alambritis said: “This is the icing on the cake in what has been a superb two weeks for British sport at the Olympics. I am absolutely thrilled with the Mayor’s decision to hand the decision back to us and we look forward to the home-coming of this much-loved and well-deserving team. Merton wants to see AFC Wimbledon back on Wimbledon turf. We will now be working with the applicant towards the delivery of the site. The club has been very patient throughout the process and now the dream of players and fans alike, many of whom are local, is set to become reality.”
https://news.merton.gov.uk/2016/08/...ack-afc-wimbledon-decision-to-merton-council/
 
#51 ·
Earlier today the Secretary of State, Sajid Javid, announced that he is not calling in our planning application.

This is extremely welcome news and represents a victory for common sense.

The letter from Sajid Javid can be read by clicking on New Stadium .

Since being submitted 20 months ago, our plans have been subjected to exhaustive scrutiny by Merton Council and the GLA, statutory bodies such as Transport for London and the Environment Agency, as well as three rounds of public consultation, and have won unanimous support. So we are pleased that the Secretary of State has concluded that he need not intervene and we thank him for that.

Chief Executive Erik Samuelson said: “We would like to thank the very many people who have supported us in this and previous campaigns, in particular by writing to the relevant authorities to urge approval of the application. Such support is a sign of the continued determination to return to Wimbledon that has sustained us over the time since we re-formed.

“And now, at long last, we can start planning with confidence to give AFC Wimbledon a secure future at the heart of the community the club represents, as well as building many much-needed homes and providing a major boost to the economy of the area.

“After so many years in exile, the Dons are coming home!”

Leader of Merton Council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis, said: “This is fantastic news for the club and for Merton. We have always supported the return of AFC Wimbledon to home turf and now they and their legions of dedicated fans can look forward to the reality. We will also benefit from new homes and business opportunities for the area which is very exciting too. ”
www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/great-news-for-stadium-bid-3331916.aspx
 
#53 ·
Good news.

Why was this referred to the Secretary of State? Who is opposed to it?
Wandsworth Council has called on the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to halt AFC Wimbledon’s Stadium development.

The bitter dispute between the two councils over AFC Wimbledon’s Plough Lane stadium bid has intensified after Wandsworth Council wrote a letter to Sajid Javid MP requesting he calls in the application for further scrutiny.

Wandsworth Council has been a persistent critic of the proposal, on the border between Merton and Wandsworth, claiming it will lead to increased pressure on transport infrastructure and services.
www.wandsworthguardian.co.uk/news/1...cretary_of_state_intervenes_over_Plough_Lane/
 
#57 ·
AFC Wimbledon are delighted to announce that Andrew Scott Ltd has been appointed as the preferred contractor for building our new stadium at Plough Lane.

The appointment follows a lengthy and thorough process conducted by the club.

Following the finalisation of the section 106 agreement – the formal planning obligations – the Club will work with Andrew Scott to develop the stadium design in more detail. At the end of that process, we will agree a fixed price for building the stadium.

Chief Executive Erik Samuelson said: "This is a significant step forward in our move to a new stadium and we are delighted to be working with Andrew Scott Ltd. There is still a long way to go, but once the section 106 agreement is signed, we can really push on with our plans for a new ground back in our spiritual home of Merton."
https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2017/july/new-stadium-contractor/
 
#58 · (Edited)


The Dons Trust Board is delighted to announce that AFC Wimbledon, Merton Council and Galliard Homes have today signed the Section 106 agreement that clears the way for our new stadium.

On behalf of all our members and Wimbledon fans everywhere, the Board would like to express our thanks to all of the many people who have helped the club get this far on our journey.

Dons Trust Board Chairman Matthew Breach said: “This is another major milestone towards the rightful return of Wimbledon’s football club to Wimbledon and represents the result of years of hard work to finalise a complex deal.

“The signing means work can now start on the stadium, as well as the 602 new homes, retail space and squash and fitness club that make up the rest of the development.

“On behalf of all our members and Wimbledon fans everywhere, the Dons Trust Board would like to express our thanks to all of the many people who have helped the club get this far on the journey. There are too many who have helped to name them all, but in particular the support of Merton Council, the tireless efforts of Erik Samuelson and the tremendous efforts of the Bring The Dons Home campaign team have been pivotal.”

Thank you to all Trust members for your trust and patience during this process. Our first game on our home turf in more than 25 years is getting closer.
https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news...om-the-dons-trust-after-106-agreement-signed/

AFC Wimbledon were today given the go ahead to start building their new £25million stadium at Plough Lane.

Wimbledon received permission from Merton Council to begin construction work as the club moved a crucial step closer to a return to its spiritual home.

The Dons want to start building the 11,000-seater ground next summer and hope they will move into their new stadium for the start of the 2019-20 season.

But Wimbledon face a race against time for the stadium to be completed by then following a number of delays and that original move-in date may be put back.

Contractors Andrew Scott Ltd will now assess when building work can start and Wimbledon should know by early next year if the stadium will be ready on time.

The new stadium will be just 250 yards down the road from the old Plough Lane ground where Wimbledon FC played.
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/fo...t-sights-on-barcelona-for-grand-a3718361.html
 
#62 ·


Demolition work starts to clear the way for new stadium

AFC Wimbledon’s progress towards a new stadium back in Merton today took another exciting step forward with a demolition event marking the start of work at Plough Lane.

Wimbledon FC legends Dave Bassett and Ian Cooke were joined by Leader of Merton Council Stephen Alambritis, to celebrate another significant milestone.

Once the site is cleared, construction will begin on building a new stadium with an initial capacity of between 9,000 and 10,000, with permission to extend this to 20,000.

Construction work on the stadium is expected to start as soon as the site clearance is finished, possibly by late summer, with a 2019 completion date
https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news...work-starts-to-clear-the-way-for-new-stadium/
 
#64 ·
We are now in detailed discussions relating to ‘value engineering’ the current design. This is a process of looking at what we plan to build with the aim of simplifying the construction process and the design, thereby making it cheaper. We are awaiting the revised stadium cost and expect to receive this within the next three weeks at which point we will formalise the appointment of stadium contractors. The plan remains to start driving the first piles early in 2019 but it now looks clear that the stadium will not be ready for games to be played until the 2020/21 season.
https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2018/october/new-stadium-latest/
 
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