Slimmed Down Plans For Lionel Road Stadium Revealed

Exhibition of club's 'detailed review' of plans on show this week

A public exhibition will be held on Tuesday 3 October, for local residents and fans to view the proposed amendments to the new Brentford Community Stadium development at Lionel Road South.

Lionel Road Developments Ltd and Kew Bridge Gate Developments LLP have submitted plans on behalf of Brentford Football Club and Be Living Ltd. These outline the proposed amendments to the Brentford Community Stadium development, including changes to the stadium design and the Central Eastern and Central Southern residential sites.

Since the original planning permission was approved in June 2014, significant changes have taken place both within the development marketplace and in relation to Premier League football and Premiership rugby union requirements.

These are the final changes which, subject to approval by the London Borough of Hounslow, will mean construction of the new stadium will start in early 2018 with the aim of completing by late 2019 or early 2020.

The proposals will be on display at at the Brentford Boating Arch, Unit 5 Kew Bridge Arches, Strand on the Green,W4 3NG on Tuesday 3 October from 4pm to 8pm.

Representatives of the Club and Be Living will be on hand to talk through the applications and answer any questions. Any feedback on the proposals at the public exhibition will be given direct to Hounslow Council as part of their consultation on the application.

If you are not able to attend either event, the exhibition material is available to view on the Brentford Community Stadium website.

Significant changes are being proposed to the Lionel Road football stadium including a reduction in capacity, moving the community facilities outside the site and increasing the amount of space for corporate entertainment.

Brentford FC say that the changes are due to making the stadium compliant with top division football and rugby regulations, "significant changes" in the development marketplace and the need to “reduce the risks from the stadium construction process and its future operation.”

Fans support group BIAS says it is disappointed the changes have been proposed without consultation with the fans and urged the club, stadium team and owner Matthew Benham to relook at the changes with a focus on the impact on fans.

The changes outlined in the statement include a reduction in the total stadium capacity from 20,000 to 17,250, a new road behind the north stand - with the whole stadium moved 3 metres south from its current location to facilitate it - and an increase in premium lounges to cater to 3,000 “guests”.

The planned community facilities: The Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, Hounslow Interim Education Centre and Learning Zone would now be relocated to a new facility outside the stadium instead of being situated within it.

Brentford FC supporters groups (BIAS and Beesotted) criticised the details of the new plans and the lack of consultation throughout the process, and express concern about what these plans mean for the long-term sustainability of the club and the matchday experience supporters can expect as a result of the proposed omissions.

These are the final changes which, subject to approval by Hounslow Council, will mean construction of the new stadium is now expected to start early next year with the aim of completion by late 2019 or early 2020.

September 29, 2017