With decision time for AFC Wimbledon just hours away, it’s time to look back on why the proposals to build a new stadium on Plough Lane have been such an important issue for Merton, and so controversial.
1. The Wimbledon Stadium greyhound track: Building the new 20,000 seat stadium, plus 601 new homes, a fitness club, crèche and cafes, means knocking down the historic greyhound racing track on Plough Lane, pictured below.
A part of the community since 1928, and the last place in London where you can still race greyhounds, the plans have caused dismay to some – however, others have celebrated the demise of the sport, with 15,000 supports of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) supporting the AFC bid in February this year.
Wimbledon Stadium is home of the Derby, which could be moved to Manchester as soon as next year if the stadium is demolished.
2. Flood risks: The planned site is listed as a designated flood plain, due to its proximity to the River Wandle, causing many to raise concerns over the future of the properties built on the site.
However, the Environment Agency announced on Wednesday, November 25, that it would remove its objection to the development because it was satisfied sufficient flood compensation would be available, surface water could be managed, there would be no increase in flood risk and the development would take opportunities to reduce flood risk.
3. Merton Council: Many opposers of the plans have argued that Merton Council were always going to approve the development.
Controversial moments have included demands for the planning chairman Councillor Linda Kirby to step down, due to her husband Councillor Andrew Judge’s role in supporting the plans, Conservative Councillor David Dean accusing the Labour-run council of pressuring the Environment Agency and Transport for London into approving the plans, and a peculiar oversight last week which left thousands of people receiving letters inviting them to the decision-making planning meeting without including the date of when it was.
However, Council leader Stephen Alambritis has said he trusts the planning committee to “make the right decision according to planning law.”
From October: Planning chairman called on to step aside on controversial AFC Wimbledon stadium plans
4. Parking concerns: Many residents living nearby have raised concerns that there is not adequate parking planned on the site to cope with the influx of visitors on match day.
However, chief executive of AFC Wimbledon, Erik Samuelson, has said he thinks the area is incredibly well connected by public transport, and that fans will be encouraged to make use of this rather than drive.
5. Back to school: One group of residents have argued that the site should be used for the building of a much-needed secondary school rather than a football stadium. However, the council discounted the site as a possibility for a new school, for reasons including the size, flooding risk, proximity to an electricity station and “potentially difficult planning issues.”
September 2015: Plough Lane: AFC Wimbledon football stadium or school?
6. Finally, Wandsworth Council has raised several concerns about the plans for a new stadium, including over the traffic impact on emergency vehicles trying to reach St George’s Hospital and the amount of pedestrians that will be drawn to heavily populated areas like Tooting and Earlsfield.
Council leader Ravi Govindia will be watching particularly closely on Thursday, as he has even called for Mayor of London Boris Johnson to be the one to have the final say on the plans, rather than Merton Council.
We will be live blogging the Merton Council meeting tonight on this website. Use hastag #DDayfordons to get involved.
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