Dulwich Hamlet’s new stadium and 219 flats gets the green light and secures the National League South club’s future for 125 years, it’s been revealed.
At a lengthy online meeting of the Southwark Council Planning Committee on Tuesday night (27th July), the non league side received approval, which came as delightful news to their supporters.
The plan for a new 4,000-capacity stadium will also see a clubhouse and 3G playing pitch along with ‘219 residential dwellings’ built on the site of the current ground at Champion Hill, which is adjacent.
STADIUM APPROVED:
The Club are delighted to announce that the Southwark Council Planning Committee has approved our joint planning application with Meadow Residential. The Result secures the clubs home and future in East Dulwich for the next 125 years.#DHFC?? pic.twitter.com/uRnU18oybg
— Dulwich Hamlet FC (H) (@DulwichHamletFC) July 27, 2020
Dulwich Hamlet said via their website: “The club is delighted to announce that its joint application with Meadow Residential to provide much needed new housing and a new stadium for the club was approved by Southwark Council Planning Committee.
“The decision by the council will secure the club’s immediate and long-term future at a new and secure home in East Dulwich.
“The club would like to thank all members of the Planning Committee for their diligent assessment of the application and all the council officers who have worked so hard with the club to bring this development to fruition.”
Dulwich Hamlet blasted a leaflet which “spreaded misinformation” prior to the meeting on a contested planning application deciding its future home.
The application seeks to move it to the next-door Green Dale playing fields, Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) owned by the council.
Nearly 2,000 people have commented on the application, which planning officers have recommended for approval, 1,285 in support and 553 to object.
The report on the plans states that the “application should only be granted on condition that children from the local state schools, including theirs, have reasonable, free and regular access during term-time to the football pitch and other sports facilities, including the gym”.
But a leaflet that was circulated locally, with reference to Friends of Green Dale, a group against the plans on the grounds that it will enclose “a large portion of MOL”, said the club intends to charge schools £45,000 per year to access the Astroturf.
Friends of Green Dale has denied being behind the leaflet, but said the club’s business plan references the figure.
Responding to the leaflet in a tweet, DHFC said: “We’re disappointed to inform all that local groups have been spreading misinformation about the club in the lead up to our vital planning date on [July 27].
“Leaflets have been circulated stating we’re charging local schools half a million pounds over 10 years. A lie.
“Unbelievable? You bet. This is categorically false. We’re providing £500,000 of sporting provision for both charter schools over the next 10 years.
“We spoke to both charter schools and made clear our intention to provide free sporting provisions from day one.”
The club then quoted the part of planning report on “free and regular” access to local state schools.
It continued: “It’s deeply upsetting that people in our local community are so hell-bent on the destruction of the club, they’d openly lie to the public in order to stop the club securing its future for the next 125 years.”
DHFC said it secured the council’s agreement to not charge the schools “and provide free access subsidised by the club”.
“So [the] number is on the plan but the school doesn’t pay,” it said.
THREAD:⁰⁰
We’re disappointed to inform all that local groups have been spreading misinformation about the club in the lead up to our vital planning date on the 27th.
Leaflets have been circulated stating we’re charging local schools half a Million pounds over 10 years.
A Lie pic.twitter.com/T3tmSgpNOl
— Dulwich Hamlet FC (H) (@DulwichHamletFC) July 22, 2020
Responding to the statement, Friends of Green Dale referred to the business plan, and also the community use agreement, which states the club will be charging other state schools £36 per hour.
“DHFC has been informed that the leaflet was not produced by the Friends of Green Dale.
“Friends of Green Dale has seen the club’s denial with regard to charging the charter schools for access to the proposed stadium.
“It is noted that the business plan submitted to Southwark planning portal includes charges against the charter school of £40,000 to £50,000 per annum.
“The leaflet correctly cites the charges submitted to the planning portal by DHFC.
“Equally concerning is the club’s community use agreement that states the club will be charging other state schools £36 per hour.
“This is unfair as the club is being leased the Astroturf area for free.
“Our main focus is protecting the use of the much-loved Astroturf which is used by all our community.
“Our community, including DHFC fans, are very angry with the club.
“It is a shame that the club fails to recognise the harm to our community if its open and free use of the Astroturf is denied,” a spokesperson said.
After learning that Dulwich Hamlet’s new stadium gets the green light, fans couldn’t help but share their excited reaction on Twitter…
Can I be the first to propose the Martin Seaton Stand for his stunning display this evening pic.twitter.com/orecGPYYnr
— Nick Pittaway (@npittaway) July 27, 2020
You can have a stand named after you if you resign for us next season, Erhun. ?
— Moroccan Sunset (@MoroccanSunset8) July 28, 2020
How will the floodlights affect the blackberries?
— Seb Losardo (@SebLosardo) July 27, 2020
One councillors was concerned about the loss of some blackberry bushes on the side of the site and also if the moving/loss of some trees would confuse the bats when commuting. (I shit you not).
— James (@Sitdown_Jim) July 28, 2020
Ok someone needs to get to work on a bats/blackberries song for next season
— Jerry Barton (@mediamoneyman) July 27, 2020
The morning after it still feels great. Think there’s a strip of carpet in the club that is now worn out. A penalty shoot out has nothing on the tension last night.
— Liam Hickey (@LiamDHFC) July 28, 2020
Fantastic effort by everybody at the club to achieve this result. A nail biting ride watching last night’s meeting, but the integrity and sheer strength of will of those presenting our side was amazing.
— Keith Slaughter (@KeithSlaughte18) July 28, 2020
Many congratulations. Absolutely delighted for you. So many people throughout your rich history could be commemorated in some way in the new stadium. I hope Mishi is one of them. I think of this one being for him.
— Rob Bernard (@Rob_Bernard) July 28, 2020
Brilliant news for a great club. Well done to @benclasper and all involved in getting this decision over the line
— Oliver Ash (@olivernjash) July 28, 2020
That was an absolute marathon!! Wonderful result, congratulations to all at DHFC for all your hard work and perseverance ??
— Greg Cooper (@GeeCCee) July 27, 2020
It’s always been about much more than just the football but what a fantastic excuse it is to come together and enjoy something unique ♥️⚽????✊
— Cinema4CamberwellGrn (@Cinema4CwellGrn) July 28, 2020
Phew! Outstanding effort by all involved.
— Pete Lyons (@OnionPete59) July 27, 2020
Congratulations! I hope mishi will be honoured at the new ground ?
— Christopher Flatt (@Flatty1987) July 28, 2020
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