Member Article

Plans to redevelop West Hams’ Boleyn Ground deferred

A decision on a planning application relating to the proposed redevelopment of the site of West Ham United’s Boleyn Ground has been deferred by the borough council.

Newham Council’s Strategic Development Committee were due to consider an application by Boleyn Phoenix Limited on Tuesday, but council planning officers recommended a delay to consider a revised affordable housing offer submitted by the applicants.

Officers had recommended that councillors refuse the application on the basis that it failed to deliver sufficient affordable housing.

The application as submitted proposed the stadium be demolished and replaced with 15 new blocks of between three and 13 storeys, delivering 838 homes. The applicants proposed that 22% (185 properties) be affordable housing provision.

Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales has previously made it clear that any proposed development on the site in Green Street, Upton Park, which did not include a good mix of housing tenures, including affordable housing, would not be acceptable.

Councillors agreed to the delay to allow officers to prepared a new report on a revised affordable housing offer. It will be brought back before councillors at a later date.

Councillor Ken Clark, chair of the Strategic Development Committee and Cabinet member for Regeneration, Planning, Building Communities and Public Affairs, said: “Newham Council fully supports the proposed redevelopment of the Boleyn Ground site, but not be at the expense of the existing community.

“We have always made it clear that any development must offer a good mix of housing tenures, community facilities and job opportunities for Newham residents through the council’s employment service Workplace. Officers will make recommendations on the new affordable housing offer before councillors make a final decision.”

West Ham United are due to leave the Boleyn Ground at the end of the current football season and move to the former Olympic Stadium. It has been their home since 1904.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .