I agree that the area isn`t fantastic, but is our area that we have witnessed despair, a bit more despair and the odd season of joy in the past 100yrs. The problem is the old girl is a bit tired now.
I much prefer the ordinary streets to a out of town new stadium or a stadium planted in a soulless brownfield site. Our new stadium would be the centre of totally regenerated scrap yard and light industrial complex. We have the land and funding in place.
Please find below important information and an updated summary of the benefits of the Brentford Community Stadium: The London Mayor expressed support for the Club's proposals in 2008 and confirmation of that support is now required to deliver a new Community Stadium and associated residential development that will:
• Generate significant new jobs and homes on a brownfield site;
• Stimulate local economic growth and benefit local businesses;
• Respect local heritage assets and views via the provision of a high quality residential design; and
• Underpin and enhance the significant community work delivered by the Club and the Brentford FC Community Sports Trust in Hounslow, Ealing and Richmond
Planning and Economic Benefits
The Brentford Community Stadium project will contribute significantly to economic growth, including:
• New jobs (over 200 a year in construction plus over 300 Full Time Equivalent long term);
• New homes on brownfield land (910 at Lionel Road and over 100 at Griffin Park); and
• Increased revenue for local businesses.
This project will revitalise and regenerate an unsightly industrial corner of Brentford and transform it into an attractive link between the Thames riverside at Kew Bridge and Gunnersbury Park.
Brentford Football Club as a local business is unsustainable at Griffin Park because the facilities are antiquated and the site is not suitable for redevelopment as a modern stadium. Without the Community Stadium development project, the economic, social and environmental benefits that the Club, the Trust and Stadium would bring are all at risk.
The project will help to secure the sustainable future of the Club and the multi-award winning charity Brentford FC Community Sports Trust. The Trust, housed together with the Club in purpose built facilities will continue to extend and improve its work with communities in Hounslow, Ealing and Richmond.
Benefits for Local Business Community
The Community Stadium facilities and the Club's football matches together with the new homes would bring a number of benefits to the local business community including:
• Increased expenditure by supporters, rising to over £4 million per annum, of which £3 million will be spent directly in the Borough;
• Total spending by the new residents is estimated of up to £17 million per year, of which £11 million is expected to be retained within the Borough;
• Facilities available for local businesses, organisations and community groups to hire for conferences, seminars and other meetings; and
• Closer relationships with local businesses from the provision of high quality match-day hospitality facilities including lounges, boxes and premium seats.
Partnerships with local stakeholders
The Club prides itself in being a good neighbour within the Community for over the past 100 years at Griffin Park and is committed to continuing this approach for the next 100 years. It has always recognised and been committed to working with Hounslow and other stakeholders to provide necessary mitigation to counter and minimise the effects of the development.
Heritage and views
From the outset the club has been mindful of the concerns of local groups regarding the impact of the views on the World Heritage Site and nearby conservation areas. As a result the Club reduced the heights and made amendments to the positioning and density of the residential buildings. A total of 33 views from points in the surrounding area have been taken and were presented to Hounslow Council Planning Committee. A detailed Design Code has also been agreed in relation to the outline planning permission for the enabling developments as part of the application. This will ensure the development of the residential buildings and associated infrastructure is sensitive to the surrounding landscape.
Some opponents of the Club’s proposals have been circulating a leaflet with a misleading image of the view from Kew Bridge. This leaflet also contains inaccurate statements. A decision should not be based on the inaccurate information in that leaflet.
Section 106 Obligations and CIL payments
Section 106 payments in the order of £2.6 million, including:
• £175,000 to TfL towards additional peak hour bus services along the A315 corridor.
• £2 million towards education including a £500,000 provision in kind towards the provision of new facilities for the Hounslow Interim Education Centre (IEC).
• £210,000 contribution towards the funding for CPZ surveys and for CPZ implementation for match and non-match days.
• £91,000 towards sustainability improvements including travel vouchers and new public realm improvements between the new Stadium and Gunnersbury Park.
• £118,000 sustainability contribution to Phase 1 of the Gunnersbury Park regeneration programme.
• £35,000 for additional studies to promote improvements to the flow of traffic in the vicinity
A forecast Mayoral Community Infrastructure Levy payment is estimated in the region of £4-5 million.
Affordable Housing
The Club has committed to agreeing a set of viability assumptions with the Council and to sharing, on an “open book” basis, the actual costs incurred and values realised during the life of the project. If during the process the project economics turn out better than expected, affordable housing contributions will be triggered.
Training and employment opportunities
Construction, training and long term operational skills opportunities will be provided across the stadium. There will also be further employment opportunities in residential, retail and hotel development, in partnership with local businesses and education providers.
Kew Bridge Station
The Club has agreed a commitment of £250,000 to Network Rail as a contribution towards Kew Bridge Station improvements. This £250,000 is in addition to the improvements the Club will make to access routes, including opening the underpass beneath Lionel Road South from the London bound platform. This will provide links from the development site to the station, via a ramp which will give disabled access and via stairs which will enable children to walk between station platforms and Kew Bridge School without crossing the public highway.
Griffin Park
In addition, the Club is committed to Section 106 contributions in relation to the redevelopment of Griffin Park under an existing outline residential planning permission. The redevelopment of Griffin Park will also deliver new homes on brownfield land and contribute to the regeneration of Brentford town centre.
Please sign our petition. I have pasted some of the benefits
Then so be it. Its part and parcel of away days. Not going to Tarquin's mini bus to Fulham.
