Just as AFC Wimbledon thought the struggle for a new stadium was nearly over, a group of campaigners are arguing for a new secondary school to be built on Plough Lane.
Residents say that the area desperately needs a school, rather than a football stadium and 600 new houses that will provide "zero community benefit."
But chief executive of AFC Wimbledon Erik Samuelson insists the new planning application has addressed concerns about the stadium.
From July: Football stadium decision delayed after AFC Wimbledon alters plans
Could Plough Lane look like this? The front of AFC Wimbledon's development if plans are approved. Photo: Sheppard Robson Architects
A consultation has been launched for comments on the revised application, which features squash club parking and more cycle parking, a cafe and creche, improvements to streets in the stadium site and changes to the design aesthetics.
The application includes 601 new homes, and changes to the design of the 20,000 seat stadium, to begin as 11,000 and expanded.
But some neighbours argue they would rather live next door to a school than a football stadium.
From December 2014: Game on! Details of AFC Wimbledon's stadium bid finally revealed
Mr Samuelson, pictured above, said: "We have been incredibly thorough and we believe it is very important and it should succeed, but obviously that’s up to the committee.
"We don’t take these things lightly, because people object with a serious problem in mind and so we take it seriously.
"A school on the site would not work financially. We have come up with a suitable alternative. The demand is not as high as you would think."
From August: AFC Wimbledon launch campaign to get go-ahead on sale of Cherry Red Records Stadium
Resident Joy Sansum disagrees. She said: "I’m not doing anything against the football club. I just think we need a school around here and I don’t think there’s been a fair debate.
"In the correspondence we have had, it’s always seemed like kind of the only option would be a football ground.
"I don’t think the infrastructure can sustain it."
From May: £130 million for huge school expansion programme
Merton Council has previously discounted the current Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium in Plough Lane, Wimbledon, as a possible site for a new secondary school, despite an urgent need for a new school in the borough.
A site for the new secondary, said to be in the south Wimbledon area, will be announced in October.
Reasons for refusing to build the school on the site included the size, "potentially difficult planning issues", proximity to an electricity station and a flooding risk.
There are also concerns that, because the site is on the border of Merton and Wandsworth, most of the school places would be taken by Wandsworth pupils.
There is also a ‘sports intensification delegation’ on the site, to ensure it continues to be used for public sport, although campaigners have argued that it is not unusual for schools to allow the public to use their sport facilities outside of school hours.
Another local resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "What do you think we need more? We don’t have a co-educational secondary school in this area, do you think we need a 20,000 seat stadium?
"They want to build 600 homes and devastate our local area with road pollution.
"This seems to me like it’s all already been figured out and they predetermined the application decision to give it to AFC Wimbledon."
In a full council meeting on Wednesday, September 9, cabinet member for education Councillor Martin Whelton said: "The Wimbledon Park Greyhound stadium was actually considered for the site of a new school in the Capita Symonds report back in 2013.
"It was rejected because it’s not financially viable, it’s not affordable and it would also prevent the return of AFC Wimbledon to the borough.
"We have a big issue to address in school expansion and Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium is not the answer."
However, Councillor David Dean has accused the council of not proposing the site to the Government.
He said: "The council didn’t offer the Government all the options. The site itself is designated for sport. Not housing, sport. And schools do sport.
"If the Council had any knowledge, they would say ‘let’s put a football stadium and a school’.
"Why on earth would the Council not offer the site to the school? It’s common sense."
He also disagreed with Councillor Whelton’s concerns about the cost of the site, adding: "The council isn’t paying for it. Central Government and the tax-payer are offering to pay for the site and the running of the school.
"Merton Council would save £40 million if they supported a school. The Government would be buying and building the school and run the school. It’s brilliant for the Merton tax payer.
"People are concerned about the places going to Wandsworth kids. I believe those kids are human beings.
"This is central tax-payers’ money. We shouldn’t be so concerned about our borders and we should be worried about children and their education."
People have until October 8 to give views on the revised application.
To view it in full, visit the website http://www.merton.gov.uk/environment/designandconservation/design/wimbledon_greyhound_stadium.htm
Members of the public wishing to comment on the application should do so in writing by post or by email to planning.representations@merton.gov.uk by October 8, and should include the application number: 14/P4361
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