Lionel Road Site Acquired for New Stadium
Brentford FC and Barratt Homes team up to buy the land
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Brentford Football Club’s plans for a new multi-million pound stadium in West London have taken another step forward as the Club’s development partner, Barratt Homes Limited (Barratt), has completed the purchase of a 7.6 acre regeneration site at Lionel Road Brentford.
Brentford FC announced in December that it had, via its stadium development subsidiary, Brentford FC (Lionel Road) Ltd, acquired an option to purchase the site, which is a former railway goods yard, currently occupied for short term mixed industrial uses. Under the terms of a separate agreement, Brentford FC (Lionel Road) Ltd assigned the option to Barratt which now owns the land.
Brentford FC’s plan is for its existing ground at Griffin Park to be redeveloped for housing once the new stadium is built and for the land in Lionel Road not needed for the new stadium to be used to build a number of community facilities and a range of residential properties.
The re-development of the stadium is also seen as a catalyst to regenerate the area around Lionel Road, which has been identified by Hounslow Council as the ‘Brentford Diamond’, a ‘Major Development Opportunity’. Currently the land fronting Chiswick High Road, Great West Road, Lionel Road and around Kew Bridge railway station is a mixture of secondary commercial properties. With the significant investment planned for the new stadium, the surrounding sites could be a natural extension for mixed use development, which could include residential, retail, leisure and commercial uses. Hounslow Council has indicated that it may be prepared to use Compulsory Purchase Powers, if necessary to facilitate an approved scheme. Brentford FC confirmed that no residential properties would be required to be relocated.
On behalf of Hounslow Council, the Leader, Councillor Peter Thompson, and Councillor Phil Andrews, Leader of the Isleworth Community Group, have both welcomed the news that the land has been purchased for the project. Councillor Thompson said “Brentford Football Club makes a tremendous contribution to communities throughout the borough and we fully support their aspirations to re-locate to a modern community stadium in Brentford. This scheme promises some exciting benefits for the local area.”
Brentford FC’s stadium project team and Barratt are in the process of negotiating detailed development agreements, appointing professional advisors and commencing feasibility studies. The Club is being advised by Antony Spencer, who introduced the Ashburton Grove site to Arsenal and played a leading role in the development of the Emirates stadium project.
The feasibility studies will ensure the design of the stadium can be accommodated and address the issue of access by fans and associated transport, highways, traffic and parking. The Club intends to liaise closely with Hounslow Council, residents groups and other major stakeholders in the vicinity.
February 22, 2008