Not been around much in the last 6 months due to work commitments so missed a lot of what may have happened here but I guess that this has been shelved indefinitely? Or is there scaffolding going up around the Cottage as i write?
I can't see any scaffolding, but then the visibility is poor today with all the rain. They talk about it frequently, but I'll believe it when I see it.
A report at the end of May by Alistair Mackintosh, said they had purchased part of the River Thames Bank, I presume to under pin the stand and put in the walkway. All was now in place with no objections left, and work was to start in summer of 2016 at the end of the season. But seeing as I'm very skeptical about this situation, they will let the planning permission lapse and it will not get built under our present circumstances.
We appear to have gone public on the start date - "Starting in May, 2016 Khan is investing about $75 million in a state-of-the-art expansion of the Riverside Stand at historic Craven Cottage." Here's a link to the full article: http://jacksonville.com/sports/foot...esting-big-state-art-expansion-fulham-soccer? Some interesting points and one I certainly wasn't aware of is that poles which create restricted viewing are to be removed. Presumably in the Hammy End and not the JH, where there is some sort of a problem tied in with it's listed status. Tied in with this and some of the other veiled blurb however, there is just a hint about increased seat prices.
Not the main ground but a first step in the right direction. Motspur Park is getting a makeover. As they said in the Birmingham match programme it's still at the Planning Application stage but the Local Authority have put it out for 'consultation', and from what I can see it's being received favourably. Today the Club have posted a piece explaining the main purpose is to ensure we retain Academy Elite 1 status; being purely selfish it should also make watching U21 games more comfortable! Here's a link to the article, including a picture of what a future Motspur Park will look like: http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/november/12/training-ground-development-proposal
The Club have taken a major step forward in the Development plans today, with the appropriate Licence being granted by the river people: Marine Management Organisation Decision Report Fulham Football Club New Riverside Stand MLA/2012/00102 22 December 2015 Decision MMO has conducted a comprehensive assessment of the FFC’S application, including extensive consultation with stakeholder organisations and members of the public. In making its decision the MMO has taken into account all representations including objections from the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), local sailing clubs (LSC) and members of the public. The MMO considers that the Environmental Statement (ES) that assessed the potential impacts of the proposed Project to be adequate and has deferred to the Local Planning Authority’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) consent decision. The MMO has considered the ES and concluded that licence conditions will be added that will ensure any potential impacts have been suitably mitigated to acceptable levels. Therefore determined that a marine licence (ML) should be granted to FFC. The MMO has also taken its decision in accordance with the Marine Policy Statement (MPS). Link to full report: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa..._Fulham_Football_Club_New_Riverside_Stand.pdf
If we play our cards right, we could have the best stadium in league one. Or maybe even league two. COYW!
I'm hoping to get some insider/from the coal face information as the project progresses. I have LinkedIn to a guy involved in the construction of the new stand, and have asked for information when available. Fingers crossed, I've told him the 606ers will be very interested. I know we all hide our identities, I don't look a bit like Georgie Best unfortunately and he probably made a better goalie than I did, but just interested if others on our board use LinkedIn? Probably better posted in another thread though.
Good stuff 2whites. Does this mean that the construction contract has been let? I know a while back Buckingham Construction had their nose in, but thought that hadn't been taken forward. However if your contact's company is now actively involved (ordering the steel and all that, which apparently has a big lead time), then that would be a massive boost.
I do. It keeps suggesting that I link with Mike Rigg, as I once looked at his profile out of curiosity. For the record, I look nothing like Barry Hayles. Especially the pixellated Barry Hayles I use as my avatar here!
Not to worry 2whites, I'm sure Ali Mac is on the job. He's obviously Mr Khan's favourite for 2016 what with him seen sitting next to Joka at the Rotherham game and Rigg noticeable by his absence.
Time marches on ... it was 4 years ago today that the Club first submitted the Planning Application to the Local Authority. " In a statement on the club's official website, the club said: "Fulham Football Club today submitted an application to the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, for the redevelopment of the Riverside stand at its Craven Cottage home. "The application will take the club's current capacity to 30,000 seats and, further significant funds will be invested to open up the Thames River walk from Hammersmith to Putney for the first time in recent history. " Interestingly (or not) today, the 'Stadium Development' page on the official website has a message " This page is currently being updated. "
Following up on the news about improvements at Motspur Park, there is good news about the main Development as well. Following an Archaeology report Hammersmith & Fulham have given the okay to start work - the first document in this link http://public-access.lbhf.gov.uk/on...s.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=NZS0X6BIG9400 The second document (the actual report) doesn't seem to be available but I understand it included (at p27) actual dates. The first bit (stuff on the on the river) was scheduled for a start anytime from last weekend, with the main works on the stand starting after our last game of this season (so any time after 7 May 2016) and taking in total 18 months. The next two documents, and especially the first, are worth paging to the end to see what it will look like (and how the stand will transform at each stage in the re-build). These docs also seem to be saying that the contract has been let to the Buckingham Group. The really important thing about these papers is that the Planning Consent is now in force and cannot lapse (or be withdrawn, so long as the Club comply with the conditions included).
As well as the main financial accounts, records have been posted with Companies house for 'Fulham Stadium Limited' (a company formed by Al Fayed and continued by Khan). The latest returns show that £1.9 million was spent last year on "design and planning works in respect of the redevelopment of the Riverside Stand" (and £3.8m spent in previous years). An auditors' note also says that "Mr Shahid Khan has given written confirmation that continued funding will be made available to finance the Company's working capital arrangements for the foreseeable future irrespective as to which league Fulham Football Club is competing in for the 2016/17 season". Link: https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/03375418/filing-history Further news came on 31st March 2016 when The Friend of Bishops Park withdrew their objections to the Local Authority about the Park being used by contractors - Fielders Meadow, the grassed area of Bishops Park directly behind the Putney End is set to be partly closed for two years during the redevelopment. This was on the understanding that the Club would spend £1.38M, broken down as follows: £600,000 Bishops Park Restoration payment £400,000 to cover maintenance over ten years £60,000 Heritage Gates contribution £50,000 upgrading of toilet block (a major complaint by users of the park) £100,000 towards refurbishment of the pitch (open area) £50,000 towards removal of Japanese Knotweed Also that the Council's Arborist would deal with the trees issue i.e. removal of and pollarding of trees. Any trees removed will be replaced 2-1 in the area where they have been removed. And better still, the Buckingham Group (who have been awarded the contract) issued a statement last week stating that: Phase 1: Enabling and marine phase due to commence May 2016 to September 2016 Phase 2: Main construction phase September 2016 to March 2018 So, it's clear that even if Mr Khan can't invest in players because of FFP he is certainly prepared to invest in the Club's assets - The Cottage and Motspur Park (having already committed to substantial improvements there). And full steam ahead.
Another step forward on the face of it, but could a change in design mean more delay ?? . Today the Club posted this: "Fulham Football Club is delighted to announce that as works progress at Craven Cottage for the redevelopment of its Riverside Stand, Chairman Shahid Khan has personally commissioned Heatherwick Studio, led by celebrated designer Thomas Heatherwick, CBE RDI, to contribute its significant expertise to the proposed scheme, thus enabling Mr. Khan to fulfil his aspiration of creating an iconic landmark on the banks of the River Thames. The Club has been executing pre-commencement conditions for some considerable time to enable work to begin on the Riverside, where planning permission has already been achieved for a new stand. The plans increase the capacity of Craven Cottage which is vital for the future of the Club as it strives to fulfil the aspiration of a return to the Premier League. Further, opening up the Riverwalk for the first time, along with the Club’s commitment to investment in Bishop’s Park, will considerably enhance the locality every day of the year." please log in to view this image There's a lot more PR stuff which you can read in this link: http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2016/april/25/heatherwick-studio-appointed
I don't know what it is about Fulham Football Club in it's present form, but information is never clear, it's like they've become a section of the Special Branch. Give as little accurate and understandable information as possible. PR is supposed to stand for Public Relations something this club of ours is clueless about.
To which you can add the shambles over the "free" pies last Saturday. Couldn't organise a whatsit in a whatsit. But that's what you get when, as highlighted in the last TOOFIF, you sack the dependable, loyal people who understood the Club (and it's values) and retain the buffoons in the top seats.
Looks like I'll be saved a trip down the Thames this week. Had planned to go and photograph the first pile of the New Riverside Walkway being driven in and confirmation that the Development was 'full steam ahead'. However in Saturday's match day Programme Mr Khan said, "It's much more than merely renovating stands for spectators, it's going to take time , and with that time comes additional deliberation and the opportunity to further explore what's possible and ultimately what's right for FFC , this brought us to Heatherwick Studio and we continue to work with Thomas as we draw closer to better understanding our options" Obviously there will now be a delay in starting and presumably some sort of amendment to the planning documents. Whether that a involves a cosmetic rubber stamp or something more fundamental (and a re-application) is anybody's guess. Anybody except Mr Khan, that is. After that Programme statement though I've regrettably become very dubious about his decision to call in Heatherwick so late in the day.
