Crystal Palace FC’s stadium plans given two week setback

By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter

Crystal Palace’s plans to revamp Selhurst Park have been set back another two weeks as locals have been given more time to oppose the blueprint.

The club recently submitted 40 revised documents to its original planning permission, which was first approved four years ago.

Initially neighbours were given just two weeks to submit their views on the updates, which includes fire safety, landscaping and local transport.

Now, Croydon’s mayor has confirmed the consultation period will be extended until September 8.

It comes after Croydon North MP, Labour’s Steve Reed, wrote to the politician saying the two week period was not enough for locals, many of whom would be away in August on holiday.

He added that a website where locals were invited to make comments to was not working properly for “several days”.

He wrote: “The current consultation is clearly inadequate and needs to be extended so residents have the opportunity to make their views known to the planning committee. I would be grateful for your urgent confirmation that the consultation will be extended, widened and made more accessible to local people.”

Mr Reed’s letter came days after he was slammed by residents for taking £1,000 in hospitality tickets from the football club.

Les Parry, a neighbour in Wooderson Close, where six houses will be knocked down to make way for the expansion, called it a conflict of interest.

Mr Parry added: “We pointed out to the council that what they publicised on the planning register only gave people 16 days to comment on the amendments of the plan that is four years old. It is an issue around here that residents’ voices can’t be heard in response to this detailed application.

“Our families aren’t concerned about mounting any opposition to the plans but we want the right thing to be done for the people of this area.”

Croydon Council said the standard length of time for amendments to planning applications is two weeks, half that of the time for a full planning application.

Jason Perry, Croydon’s executive mayor said: “I share residents’ concerns on the length of this consultation, which is why we have extended the current deadline until September 8 to give local people the proper opportunity to share their views.

“Residents reported problems submitting their responses on our website and this issue has now been resolved.”

Pictured top: A CGI aerial image of the Selhurst Park redevelopment plans (Picture: Crystal Palace FC)