Ground Development - Latest

Went to CC this morning to have a look at the plans to develop the Ground (can’t be doing with poncy terms like ‘stadium’).

First, it’s clear that the club’s hand has been forced a tad early because of the talk elsewhere about ground sharing. And good on them for nipping that in the bud. But it does mean that the proposals are very much at the tentative stage.

In summary, the club want to bring in more much needed revenue by increasing capacity to 30,000 and expanding the hospitality sector an see the Riverside end as the only option - because only it can be extended ’up’ and ’out’ with -

* minimal risk of objection from local residents (the neww structure will be on the ’blind’ side)
* minimal disruption in term of building works during the league season
* most likely planning success

[The existing planning permission relates only to the upper capacity limit, not the actual design.]

So what will it look like ? At the mini-exhibition only a (very) rough sketch of the rear view was given - I’ve included at the end of the post a link to the club site so you’ll see what I mean. Anyway, imagine yourself sitting in the Johnny Haynes stand looking over at the Riverside without its current roof but instead something akin to Napoleon’s hat.

The brims will be seating where the current ’boxes’ and open ends are; and the centre will be higher and curved. I’m guessing that the centre will be similar to structures I’ve seen at cricket grounds. That is, either -

A) the current Riverside seating, with the end filled in with seats, and an upper tier with hospitality boxes all along and some seats in front; or, more likely
B) two tiers of seating with hospitality boxes sandwiched between them.

At the back there will be a mini-concourse extending out over the river. The back of the ‘new’ Riverside will be built up with viewing galeries. cafes, bars and a river walk created at ground level. The purpose here is -

* on match days, give new access points and reduce the congestion currently at the Stevenage Road ends
* on no-match days, create new business opportunities.

The timescale ? No one could say but suggested, 8 weeks consultation (10,00 leaflets were being put through local doors), the 3 months on detailed plans, the another round of consultation, the 6-9 months planning stage. So possible star of construction summer of 2013.

Speaking to the chap responsible for the FFC Foundation he said that to smooth the planning route, the club would be offering to give to give something back to the community and were already speaking to the Lottery Fund developers in Bishops Park. [no new development in London gets through the system these days without some form of kick back; be it affordable housing or leisure facilities - my word not his]

A hurdle or two I forsee is on the river. The Thames boating lot were very vociferous about he impact of building height in the previous (first) proposals. And creating a platform over the river will not be a simple engineering feat.
I came away with a warm feeling about the club’s sincerity and, importantly, that they had learned from history; that there was no sense in coming up with a plan that -

* gave antagonised residents good cause
* was protracted (and expensive) because of ’listed’ status issues
* required vacating the ground even if temporarily (indeed it was re-inforced by one Rep. that the QPR ground share had not been a happy one for the club)

All I spoke to confirmed that a way had to be found to boost revenue without jeopordising the club and its home - their word not mine.

Link to the club site and the "sketch" -


http://http://www.fulhamfc.com/StadiumProject/ExpandingtheRiversideStand.aspx

 

Thanks for such a thorough summary, Cottager. It all sounds (tentatively) positive.

 

Yes, thanks Cottager - that's v helpful and interesting. From my own knowledge of and experience with the planning process I can see it being a long and difficult road before the scheme comes to fruition and with many variations to plans along the way. However, knowing the personalities of our chairman and chief exec I can't see them failing once they've decided on a course of action.

The main thing, as far as I'm concerned, is that we're not moving from the Cottage. I was watching the Man City fans being inverviewed outside their great big stadium yesterday and was thinking (as I often do) how lucky we are to have our lovely old ground in its perfect place by the river.

 

Penguin you are spot-on. I'd rather have our smallish football ground over some of these new stadia, which at times can be full yet feel empty.