Fielders Meadow Set to Close for Three Years during Fulham FC Redevelopment
Part of Bishops Park next to Craven Cottage to be shut till April 2022 or beyond
Fielders Meadow, the grassed area of Bishops Park next to Fulham FC's Craven Cottage stadium, is set to be partly closed for three years during the redevelopment of the club's Riverside Stand.
As we reported in January, the £100 million renovation is scheduled to start at the end of the current season, with the stand being rebuilt with a two-tiered replacement which will see the stadium’s capacity increase from 25,700 to close to 30,000.
These plans include the use of Fielders Meadow as a works compound for storage purposes, with a temporary path will be installed outside the hoarding to ensure a full loop of the park can still be undertaken.
Though the closure has been planned for the last three years, since we reported on it in March 2016 new details, including a much longer closure period until April 2022 or beyond, is revealed on H&F Council's page on the proposal.
It says: "Fulham FC are hoping to start works in April 2019. However, this is subject to finalising the lease, council authority and seeking permission from the Church Commissioners. We are also required to issue a statutory notice of our intention.
"We will write to local residents and put up posters on site before or just after this is done. The compound could be in place until April 2022, or longer if a lease starts later than April 2019."
The closure follows the granting of permission
in December 2018 for the redevelopment of the club's Riverside stand. You can see this planning application here.
On the page, the council says: " We know that losing a section of the park will be inconvenient for local residents and regular park users. But the good news is that the redevelopment of the Riverside stand brings many significant benefits to the park in the short and long term.
"The redevelopment will unlock significant funding for the council which Fulham FC are obliged to pay in accordance with their planning conditions. This includes £660,000 towards park improvements and an additional £44,000 each year towards park maintenance for 10 years – both of which are ringfenced exclusively for Bishop’s Park.
"In addition, Fulham FC would pay an annual rental fee of £164,000 and an upfront payment of £150,000 – all of which will be used towards the maintenance of the park.
"This money could be used to pay for upgrades to the park’s lighting, improved footpaths and the repainting of the riverside railings, for example."
The council says any income generated by the council is reserved for use in the park. We have some ideas about how best to use the funding and have had initial discussions with the Friends of Bishop’s Park, but we’ll formally consult residents to ensure everyone’s views are considered.
It adds that it is in discussions with Fulham Palace Parkrun about moving the weekly run's starting point back so the requisite distance can be maintained, and while some trees and scrub will have to be removed, an appropriately qualified ecologist will be appointed to survey the area and ensure all parties comply with the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Trees will each be replaced with three new trees for everyone removed, and it will be a requirement of the lease that the area is returned to its current condition.
Fulham FC are holding a public information session on the proposals at Craven Cottage next Tuesday, 9 April from 4pm till 9pm, at its office next to the Johnny Haynes statue.
The session will provide residents with an overview of the contractor’s proposed compound within a section of Fielders Meadow. Representatives from Fulham FC and the main contractor Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd, will be available to explain the proposed access and logistics.
H&F Council is accepting comments on the plans up to and including Thursday 18 April. These can be made in writing to
Ian Ross
Parks Manager
Hammersmith & Fulham Council
Co/ The Stable Yard
Holland Park
Ilchester Place
LONDON W8 6LU
They can also be sent by email to Parks@lbhf.gov.uk.
April 5, 2019
