The long-awaited redevelopment of Crystal Palace’s Main Stand has progressed further. We want to take a closer look at this and what it could mean for the area. Then, if you need help with property management in Croydon, you can rely on us.
The agreement
The Premier League club has signed a vital planning agreement. This will fund community improvements and compensate any influenced by the plans. The signing of the Section 106 agreement means one of the last hurdles to redevelopment is out of the way. Some are now suggesting that work could begin as early as summer.
The club’s community team has said to the local democracy reporting service (LDRS) that responsibility is now with Croydon Council. They need to rubber stamp the agreement before anything else can happen.
Planning permission for the redevelopment was gained in principle six years previously. The project will see the stadium’s capacity go up from 25,486 to 34,000. Other improvements will happen with the ground too.
Purchased land and demolished flats
The club bought a bit of land from the massive Sainsbury’s that dominates the stadium’s western end. This will make space for the development. Additionally, the club intends to demolish council flats on Wooderson Close. They back into the ground’s primary entrance.
Since gaining permission, there have been many reasons for the delays. One was the relocation of those council tenants residing at Wooderson Close. As part of the plans, the club had to relocate each household. The council had to receive compensation for the rent losses too. This formed part of the aforementioned agreement. If you need the leading services for property management in Croydon, let us know.
Section 106 of the UK’s Town And County Planning Act 1990 (S106) is relevant here. It relates to the funding of community enhancement levies on developers for any massive development. In this instance, the Section 106 conditions were supposed to compensate Wooderson Close locals affected by the development. Until recently though, the club was holding back on signing their part of the agreement.
There were also additional delays in 2023. Here, the club had to resubmit an application with the council to meet the needs of the London Plan.
Due to the club’s signing of the 106 agreement, responsibility for the rubber stamping is with Croydon Council. The club’s communication team told LDRS that it expects the council to do this soon. Once the premier league season finishes, the club expects official work to begin in the summer. Preparatory work on the stadium grounds is already commencing.
Selhurst Park has been the home of Crystal Palace FC since 1924. It’s one of the final remaining ‘old-style’ Premier League stadiums in the capital. When first proposed, the costs for the updates would not surpass £100m. Thanks to inflation and the pandemic though, it will now cost around £150m.
One Croydon Council spokesperson said they were continuing to work with Crystal Palace FC on their plans for redeveloping Selhurst Park and the new Main Stand. Every technical matter has been dealt with, so they expect to finalise the agreement soon.
We’ll get you the help you need with property management in Croydon
At Finefair Ltd, we can provide effective solutions to help you meet your targets. It could be you want an ongoing medium to long term arrangement. Or, you might be new to investing and need something in the short term while you learn and decide what to do. We can cater for both needs.
So, give us a call if you desire the best services for property management in Croydon and other parts of London. We’ll give you convenience, value for money, guaranteed rent, and more.
