I had the misfortune to bump into one of the objectors this morning. It was a social context so I had to be polite (would be anyway actually!). Anyway, made me think to ask if there is any update on this project other than the post on the official site from the 5th May stating that QPR had submitted revised proposals. Any news / rumours / ITKs?
TBH it's been so long since any new updates or spin has come from our club or Tony that I'v almost forgotten about Warren Farm.
Any of this lot? Some pretty grumpy looking folks in that mix, especially the kids that got dragged out. please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
The one in the green looks like she means business. At least half these nimbys will be dead or in care homes by the time planning gets approved so not to bothered really
I thought they had already. A Judge refused a judicial review. I suspect there is some posturing in order to ensure that Ealing Council and QPR have ticked all the legal boxes before it gets started. At least I hope so.
We revised our plans (downsized) and it needed new planning permission. I think the principle is agreed.
How high up on the agenda should the training facilities really need to be? I remember hearing Warnock say that he couldn't believe it when he walked into Harlington. ''There were sea bass on the menu and all sorts. I'd never seen that before!'' That was about five years ago. I'm pretty certain that Harlington is already better than some of the current Prem teams training grounds. Maybe it's just an indicator of over exuberance and a means to pamper already over pampered 'stars.' A white elephant if you will. Surely all they need is a nice pitch to kick a ball or run about on, a nice locker room with a hot shower and a canteen that caters for all of their specific dietary needs. A good multi gym/weights room and somewhere to get a good rub down when they're feeling a bit sore. Sir Les and CR said at the fan site meeting that it was a struggle to get the youngsters out on-loan at Tottenham, because they didn't want to leave the comfort of the state-of-art facilities and venture into some third world club that has the nerve to have to go back to basics. ( More or less. I can't remember the exact details. I made the last sentence up, but the sentiment remains.) Despite having these facilities, how many of Tottenham's youth have come through the system? Of course Kane is one exception plus one or two others but is that a fair return on investment? Especially when you consider the millions of pounds they've lavished on the superstars that have failed to produce and have had the pleasure and enjoyment of these 'Super training grounds.' Liverpool is another. As is Chelsea's fantastic Cobham site, how many players have come through their system despite having top-notch facilities? A few Championship loannees? And here's the best and ultimate one ... Man City. They have the best and most purpose built state of the art facilities on this earth and some of the most expensive players but are yet to get anywhere near the Champions League Semi-Finalist, let alone even a Final! For me it is about getting in the right management and coaches. Then the right players. The training ground is the cherry on top, and pretty much a vanity project when the rest is in place. If you're still not convinced then consider this ... As much as it pains me to say ... When Chelsea & QPR were neck and neck in '96 and Matthew Harding chaired a meeting and asked the board this ... ''Do we stay as we are and be on a par with QPR, or do we go for it and try and be a Man Utd of the South?'' Glenn Hoddle came in and attracted the likes of Gullitt, Zola, Di Matteo, Poyet, Vialli, Deschamps, Hughes and Laboeuf. Where was their training ground? Yes you guessed it ... Harlington! And it was very much in a ****tier state back then, than it is now!
Fantastic post 9s! You are the Yoda of this board 'much wisdom have you'. Maybe they have woken up to the same and not too bothered. That would leave more energy for the new ground - hopefully.
Reading this website, it hard to see how anyone can object; http://www.wfig.org.uk We are basically taking an unused piece of land, and packing it with facilities, and modernizing it. Now, I know I don't need to tell anyone of here this, but why on earth isn't the council telling the muppets to pipe down and move on to the next thing to moan about (these types will always have something to campaign about to keep busy) and give QPR all the help they need. Trouble with democracy is that sometimes those who shouldn't have a voice, are listened to far too much.
And to think Tony was full of it Yet today he is in the shadows Again credit to Imaz who didn't buy into Tony the great As the reflection goes on I am sure we will all get the full picture Let's hope we are all diverted by a decent new team getting built If we look decent then expect Tony to surface with new plans about a super mobile hover pitch that allows us to play at a number of locations around London
It is designated as ''Metropolitan open land'', in other words it is granted the same level of protection as green belt and is designed to protect areas of landscape, recreation and nature conservation. Any development there can only be the same as for 'green belt' areas and permission cannot be granted by a London Borough acting alone. It is spaces like this which act as the 'lungs' of the city as well as providing natural habitats. Why should the citizens of the surrounding area not have a voice in the possible closure of something which essentially belongs to the general public ?
1) It is costing Ealing Council huge amounts of money that they cannot afford. They would be delighted to be shot of it 2) As you can see from the pics of the motley crew of protesters, we are literally talking about a few dog walkers (and their co-opted kids) whose creatures use the place as a toilet 3) Despite their protests and petitions, there are over 250 000 people who would be very happy with this development and might bring pleasure to approx 20 000 people on a weekly basis in season if it contributed to better results for QPR. That is also democratic. As to 'Metropolitan Open Land', that is beyond my knowledge but I assume Ealing Council had that aspect covered.
Why so negative about the protesters, who are doing nothing other than trying to protect an area which they have had access to, and which was, supposedly, protected by law. Why such value judgements as 'motley crew' and 'co-opted kids' they are simply a picture of a community protecting itself. QPR have other options, the protesters don't. Try looking under the website www.savewarrenfarm to find out a. what is involved and b. how many people are involved. I would also like to know in which way Warren Farm is actually 'costing money which Ealing does not have' before stating it as fact.
You sound like my wife! Of course I am biased and of course I don't care about the motley crew - from the pictures alone, a very apt description - and I very definitely do not care about their dogs fouling the area with excrement. I do care about the fact that the QPR consortium has deeper pockets, the favour of The Council and tens of thousands of QPR fans who want this to go ahead. I can't reference the losing money issue but it was certainly part of Ealing Council's rationale at the start of this process. I'm also aware that in our democracy, the little guy sometimes wins. If they do, I hope they learn the error of their ways when it's developed into housing by some huge developer with even more money and clout than QPR!
