Last week’s Ricards School presentation by Merton officers and Galliard Consultants regarding the Galliard’s 20,000 seat Stadium and 602 homes redevelopment of the old stadium site left a lot unsaid. In the face of concern from residents regarding flooding, transport, parking and social services the consultants did little more than say the difficulties could be coped with by existing facilities with remarks like, "our survey shows there are sufficient spare car parking spaces in adjacent streets".
AFC’s Erik Samuelson gave a glowing report of how his football club will benefit the area similar to the way it currently benefits Kingston. I do not doubt that fact, but why does that benefit have to be part of an excessively large development that residents don’t want.
As Merton councillors consider the large Galliard proposal coupled with AFC Wimbledon’s return they must reflect on residents’ worries. AFC could still return with a lower impact development.
There is prepared, but not submitted, a 3,000/4,000 seat Stadium 230 homes proposal by Pashcal Taggart an Irish Greyhound promoter. When I spoke to him last week he said he would be happy to share use of the site with AFC.
The task for councillors now is to reject the Galliard proposal. It is excessive and causes too many problems for residents. The task for AFC and their return to Wimbledon is to support a lower impact redevelopment of the stadium.
What we could have is both football and Greyhound racing in Plough Lane.
Geoff Norcott
via email
- Send your letters to: letters@wimbledonguardian.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel