Forum Topic

BFC Planning Application

A planning application from Brentford Football Club is to be decided upon at the next I&B Planning Committee meeting on 16th December.BFC have secured over £1M in Football Stadia Improvement Fund money to make improvements to Griffin Park that will go a long way to help the club survive until a new stadium can be found. The FSIF have stated they are unlikely to offer such a large sum in the future, basically its a now or never offer.I hope our elected representatives see that approving this planning application is a key moment in the future survival of the club, and that Brentford, without its football club will become a much poorer regardless of how many new flats you build.

Paul Davis ● 7437d20 Comments

The problem is that the council always seems to be working against the club rather than with it. The glass roof put there to keep residents happy but against building restrictions. What are the club supposed to do? They are a business, a major one that adds to the community but they need money and are doing their best to keep everyone happy which face it the monstrosity that is the Travelodge did not do and they got permission. What they are proposing adds not only to the enjoyment and comfort of the supporters but also to the community. The club needs money to survive and every idea they have had has been made so unattractive to the residents because of the council's involvement and I'm talking about the ridiculous percentage of affordable housing proposed for the housing plans, or the council have put back planning permission rather than help. These plans were drawn up months ago so if there were council concerns about emergency access and building regulations, why did they not tell them or work with them? The council will have just as much to answer for if the club goes under because of its inaction as it will for it's meddling. It doesn't matter if you are a supporter or not. They run programmes for children. Just a couple of weeks ago they had Christmas carols and Santa for the kids and locals. What they are proposing will help children with learning difficulties of all kinds and the disabled to have access to facilities within the club that they don't at the moment. It adds to the community and the council need to see that before they look for the red tape.

Claire Peleschka ● 7434d

As I said in my earlier post this was a complex application.It should be noted that the council officers writing the report did not make a clear recommendation to members to approve or reject the application. This is very unusual.I suggest those of you who are interested in the details of the application download it from the hounslow.gov.uk website. As a councillor in another part of the borough I would have found it easier to deal with the issues if they had been dealt with in a series of separate applications for Ealing Road, New Road and Brooke Road South.A problem in Ealing Road was that the new roof cover proposed, though smaller than that refused in 1996, included a glass rear to overcome objections in Ealing Road about loss of light. The report stated that this would not be permitted under government building regulations.In relation to the function room at the rear of New Road it was stated that there were concerns about exit distances in the event of emergency. The report also stated that there were issues relating to disabled access.I could offer a number of similar issues in the report, but hope these help to make my point. In relation to the planning code of conduct members operate under this requires them to behave in a reasonable and unbiased manner. Some Brentford supporters believe that anything they ask for should be granted. Similarly, some residents believe that nothing new should be allowed at Griffin Park. The reality is that some development is possible. As this is not my area committee I do not have sufficient information to say whether the current application is acceptable.To conclude, be aware that every councillor involved in planning wants to play to the gallery by doing what appears to be the popular option. However, planning decisions are quasi-judicial, and members are required to give their planning reasons for the decision. Councillor Luke Kirton was unable to take part in last night's discussion because of his Brentford connection. If all 12 councillors were Bees supporters and season ticket holders there would have been no one eligible to take part.

John Connelly ● 7434d

Nice reply, Claire.

Ann S. Allridge ● 7434d

Don't calm down. I live on Braemar Road therefore I live on the side with the big stand and the problem parking and frankly I bought a house on top of a football ground (as a Bees supporter I did it on purpose and am a little biased) but there was a resident's meeting where the plans were discussed and the usual arguments were put forward, the main one being..."These houses were here before the football ground" It wasn't taken too kindly when it was pointed out that the houses may have been but the owners certainly weren't. If you choose to buy or rent a property on top of a football ground you cannot then complain about parking on a Saturday or people visiting.The council need to wise up and realise that not everyone in Brentford is a yuppie who has bought in a prosperous area. The majority care very deeply about the football club and believe that it is an integral part of the community. This was proven in the last council elections and if the club goes down because the council are fannying about they will have a lot to answer for. There - rant over!

Claire Peleschka ● 7434d

Gareth,Nit-picking?  Maybe I was being overly critical of Mrs. Keen..perhaps she is a genuine fan and wasn't on a political/publicity visit?

Ann S. Allridge ● 7434d

I am going to calm down now and have a pint of London Pride and stop reading my emails from Brentford fans.

Neil Chippendale ● 7434d

Neil I apologise. Quite rightly there was consultation. I should have stated that perhaps not wide enough consultation. By the way, personally I hope that the club is successful in its aims.

Gareth Evans ● 7434d

I think the interpretation should be how much consultation should happen. It is wrong to say that no consultation took place.

Neil Chippendale ● 7434d

Neil Some of the blame seems to be with the club itself as it seems that the club didn't consult with the people most affected by the planning proposals - the residents. Yes the club was there before most of the residents moved in but the residents live there and they have a say. If the councillors had approved the plans, the residents and any other interested party could have overturned the planning proposals on appeal.

Gareth Evans ● 7434d

Unfortunate Neil, but not entirely shocking. It seems like Ms. Seema Maholtra's fate in the last Local Elections has been long forgotten by the decision makers.I believe the next Local Election campaign will be an extremely nervous one for any non-independent candidates.Brentford Football Club cannot cope with much more stalling and indifference.

Mr. P.A. Brownscombe ● 7435d

I'll bet she wouldn't have been within ten miles of Griffin Park!But Ann, isn't it only 9 miles to Covent Garden?

Gareth Evans ● 7435d

Neil,This is awful news - I thought there would be locals (pro-Bees) present at this meeting, or was it members only?A sad day for Brentford if anything happens to cause the loss of Brentford Football Club.

Ann S. Allridge ● 7435d

Just read that no Councillor spoke in favour of the application.This stinks. I hope they realise that Brentford may loose the 1.7 million because of this. All you Councillors need to realise that the club has been part of Brentford's life for 100 years, not like these people living in New Rd. They bought houses beside a football ground. What did they expect. I am very angry and upset. This could be the end of BFC at Griffin Park. I hope these Councillors and live with that.

Neil Chippendale ● 7435d

Just been told by email that it has deen deffered.Wrong wrong wrong. Brentford needs to know asap so the club can either move forward or die at Griffin Park. If it is the latter at least they could sell the ground and look at a ground share even though it is an unpleasent idea.

Neil Chippendale ● 7435d

I have seen the planning application to be considered by local members in Brentford. The issues are complex, and subscribers to this forum should be sure that their views for/against are based on the actual application.As a councillor for an area remote from the application I would not attempt to anticipate the decision.However, I believe that all the arguments for and against should be considered by the decision makers, and everyone involved should believe that their opinions were considered fully before final voting occurrs.

John Connelly ● 7436d

Paul,Was this today?  If the Bees  had lost last night, I'll bet she wouldn't have been within ten miles of Griffin Park!

Ann S. Allridge ● 7436d

Did my eyes decieve me earlier while watching Sky News or did i actually see Ann Keen in Brentford today wearing a Brentford scarf and on the Brentford pitch!!Who knows,she may even reply to my emails one day.

Paul Fisher ● 7436d

Meeting isn't until 16th December?Fingers crossed!

Ann S. Allridge ● 7436d

Anyone know how this application went. If it fails it could spell the end of the club.

Neil Chippendale ● 7437d

The toilets in the away end need an improvement thats for a sure.Good luck with your application Paul.

Paul Fisher ● 7437d