Football's coming home...The Dons' possible return to its spiritual homeland at Plough Lane!

[HaydonWomble]

I'm old enough to remember the heady days of Wimbledon FCs FA Cup win back in 1988 against the not so mighty (on that particular occasion) Liverpool FC. I've remained a keen supporter as are my DCs (hence my username!), despite the treacherous selling off of the PL Stadium and the Club's relocation to Kingston. So, I think it's fair to say that many supporters are happy at a recent report confirmed that the Plough Lane site could be used for “sporting intensification”.

I think it will be brilliant for local businesses, property prices and the smartening up of the area (does that mean they can finally get rid of that hideous electricity generating station???) but I've heard NIMBYist type mutterings from friends who live in that part of Summerstown/Tooting.

I guess on the negative 'civic' side, it could be a big drain on local policing resources, cause a lot of additional 'business' to A&E at St. George's and potentially significantly more local footfall - and is the transport infrastructure in that part of Wimbledon/Tooting good enough to cope (my suspicion is not as it currently stands although I guess Haydon's Road Station is only a five minute walk away).

Well we won it. The dons are coming home at last! So excited

Oh, gosh there's progress afoot in Merton then - that will bring in a lot of income to the borough (does this then make Crossrail 2 a done deal???). Wondering though whether it will be a good or bad thing for the residents living around there, Summerstown and just into Tooting? Do people pay a premium to live near a football ground?

Here's the Merton Council related press release and this is what some local Mumsnetters are saying on our FB page.

Can imagine that the value of commercial properties in the Summerstown area - in particular - will have increased substantially overnight! Not so sure what impact this development will have on existing housing stock value though?

This is such great news. My young DS is a fan like his Dad and it's a really good atmosphere on match days. They are so pleased that they will one day be able to walk to matches rather than going by train!

What with this development now in the pipeline, and Colliers Wood already being 'regenerated', all is looking very rosy for these two traditionally less 'glam' borough border areas of Merton. All good.

I took am looking forward to being able to take the DCs to proper, local, AFCDons football matches. I wonder how many years we'll have to wait though? Three or four???

Apparently "Mayor of London to consider handing AFC Wimbledon stadium plans back to Merton" according to a post by Merton Council.

In a nutshell: "The Mayor announced today a Greater London Authority (GLA) public consultation into how best to progress AFC Wimbledon’s planning application to build a football stadium and flats in Plough Lane, Merton, prior to making a final decision."

So what was the point of BoJo delaying the decision-making ? We will probably know the outcome of the fourteen day consultation by the end of August - hopefully.

(Wandsworth) Councillor Sarah McDermott says: “It continues to be Wandsworth Borough Council’s opinion that a number of issues, particularly the impact of the development on public transport infrastructure, are unresolved...“The fundamental problem with this development is that Merton gets all the gain while Wandsworth gets all the pain...Merton has already stated very publicly that it wants the football club to return, but that cannot be at the expense of residents and businesses in Wandsworth, and nor can this be at any cost."

Is Wandsworth going to be affected more than Merton though? Wonder if they'd be making the same objections were the 'boot' on the other foot? Methinks not. It smacks of NIMBYism and/or sour grapes...

Well even if there is some opposition I can't see the new stadium NOT going ahead as I am sure the club will appeal. Bring the Dons back home I say.

From Merton Council's website today:

"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.”

Some Christmas cheer for all AFC Wimbledon fans out there (although I wonder what local residents think?) - just reported on the club's website that "Representatives from AFC Wimbledon, Merton Council and GRA Acquisitions have signed the Section 106 agreement that clears the way for a new stadium for AFC Wimbledon...ensuring that work can now start on the new AFC Wimbledon stadium in Plough Lane." Read the full article here.