AFC Wimbledon going home

[Wombling Kiwi]

JUST DONE MINE...GOOD LUCK WOMBLES....KEEP YOUR HEADS UP!!

thanks from all the Wombles

 

[Paddy]

Bitter sweet for me. If the application now gets denied I assume it means more seasons at KM for K's. However it's more seasons with Wombles in Kingston & we won't get our shiny new Chessington ground as soon as we would have. But it means not moving to Chessington so soon.

So conflicted.

Signed it anyway, coz I'm a good chap like that.

 

[mowgli]

Yep i've just signed as well,good luck!

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

Bitter sweet for me. If the application now gets denied I assume it means more seasons at KM for K's. However it's more seasons with Wombles in Kingston & we won't get our shiny new Chessington ground as soon as we would have. But it means not moving to Chessington so soon.

So conflicted.

Signed it anyway, coz I'm a good chap like that.

Conflicted is how I feel (unenthusiastic about a move to Chessington but it may, quite frankly, only be postponing the inevitable). Personally, I find it very difficult to ascertain what's in Ks best interests so, as with the original petition, I won't be signing. Soz Wombles.

 

[Paddy]

Anyone else just receive an auto response from Zac Goldsmith?

Seems he has really done his research on the great "Wimbledon AFC"

 

[rudebwoyben]

Anyone else just receive an auto response from Zac Goldsmith?

Seems he has really done his research on the great "Wimbledon AFC"

Sums him up really with his Lynton Crosby directed campaign strategy. The guy is totally disconnected from London (and I'm no fan of Khan either).

 

[Gashead]

Anyone else just receive an auto response from Zac Goldsmith?

Seems he has really done his research on the great "Wimbledon AFC"

Amazing. That doesn't surprise me one bit mind!

 

[Kiwi Womble]

I didn't, what did it say?

 

[womble76]

They are both sitting on the fence as you would expect from politicians. However I think we gave more chance with Khan as mayor. If you forget the Boris publicity effect London generally votes labour.

 

[JonnyWomble]

I hate politicians. The Tories are basically saying "we might be in favour of the move, but you have to vote us in to find out." then they add in a link showing that Kahn wanted to cancel/go over the plans a year ago.

This whole thing just stinks of using New Plough Lane as a chess peice to win the mayoral election.

 

[mowgli]

I got it and read about 3 lines in as it was a normal pathetic politician's answer.

 

[iWomble]

Goldsmith's reply is dishonest, or at the very least dissembling.

"As you may know, planners at City Hall have called in this development for review, meaning that the fate of this project will lie in the hands of the next Mayor."

Planners at City Hall emphatically did not call it in. They said there was no reason at all for it not to be approved - "no sound grounds for the Mayor to intervene". Boris Johnson on his own called it in, for entirely political reasons to do with not going against the rich nimbies just over the borough boundary in Tory-led Wandsworth.

(Which is why elected mayors are in reality anti-democratic abominations who can grandstand and ride roughshod over genuine local accountability, but that's an argument for another time.)

 

[Paddy]

For anyone who didn't get the email who wants to read it.

Thank you for taking the time to get in touch with me in support of the plan for AFC Wimbledon to return to its local community.


Having followed the progress of the Galliard Homes development for a number of years, I am conscious that their scheme also contributes to addressing the housing shortage that is currently facing London.


I have also been approached by local residents who are concerned by the scale of the development, but Plough Lane has been a sporting stadium site for over 100 years and I am sure that issues of traffic management and local disruption can be addressed. As Mayor, I will press for a solution as soon as possible, recognising not only the needs of Wimbledon AFC, but other stakeholders in the local area.


As you may know, City Hall have called in this development for review, meaning that the fate of this project will lie in the hands of the next Mayor. For this reason, I cannot comment further on the specifics of the development as any comment I do make may restrict me from making a decision about the development if I am elected on 5th May.


In the interests of transparency however, I would draw your attention to the submissions that my opponent made last year regarding this scheme. Details of which can be found here: http://www.swlondoner.co.uk/afc-wim...efends-stadium-application-letter-tooting-mp/


London is the greatest city in the world but I believe it can be even greater. If elected, I will work tirelessly to achieve this, including tackling London’s housing crisis. Developments such as the Plough Lane project can form a vital part of this plan.



With best wishes,



Zac Goldsmith MP

Conservative candidate for Mayor of London

 

[Flaxman's Alibi]

Wombles, don't you understand?

Even if you're a decent law abiding sort the fact that you've nailed your flag to association football confirms you as part of the hoi polloi and therefore a sub-citizen of society.

Now if it was a polo field, a gentlemen's club or a statue of a long-serving councillor then bingo!

I've gladly taken one minute to sign your form. The Dons deserve the support though they have enough endeavour within themselves to get the job done. Good luck.

 

[oakroader]

got my reply this morning......lots of words??

 

[Flaxman's Alibi]

got my reply this morning......lots of words??

You get a reply?!

Oh no, I'm wishing I'd not bothered now. Maybe I should have thrown some northernism's of my own choosing in, then they'd simply just ignore me as irrelevant.

 

[Paddy]

Here is Sadiq Khan's (P.A's) response:

Hi,

Many thanks for contacting Sadiq regarding the planning application by AFC Wimbledon for a new stadium. I appreciate you took the time to get in touch. I have been asked to reply on Sadiq's behalf.

As Mayor of London Sadiq will fight at every turn for better homes, better policing, better transport and an economy that works for business and for workers. Every Londoner should have the opportunities that so many of us take for granted but so many still do not receive.

As the Member of Parliament for the adjoining constituency, Sadiq has had a long interest in the proposals. During the planning application process, on behalf of his constituents, he recognised the importance of the development to AFC Wimbledon and their fans, but also raised concerns that the new stadium could have a negative impact on parking, traffic and public transport.

In December 2015, Merton Council granted planning permission but in March the current Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, used his powers to 'call in' the decision. Given the timescales involved, the actual decision on whether the new stadium will be approved will be taken by the next Mayor. This is a judicial process, and could be open to legal challenge.

As Sadiq is standing to be the next Mayor, this decision may end up being one taken by him. Given the legal importance of not prejudicing any future decision, Sadiq can't at this time comment on the merits or not of the planning application. All he can do is promise, if elected, to consider all the evidence and submissions carefully in order to take the right decision for Londoners.

I am sorry if this is not the answer you want to hear, but I am sure you understand the importance of the planning process coming to a conclusion as quick as possible after May.

We need to engage millions of Londoners in our campaign from Barnet to Croydon, Hillingdon to Havering, from all walks of life. To win, we need to share with every Londoner our vision for our city, you can sign up to volunteer at Sadiq.London/volunteer. If we start now, this could be the biggest grassroots movement ever seen for a Mayoral campaign. The work we do now will win May's election. The more volunteers we have speaking to voters on the phones and out on the doorsteps, the better our chances of winning back City Hall on 5 May.

 

[mowgli]

I just got the e-mail, what a fudge reply that is,absolutely pathetic.

 

[Wombletom]

Boris Johnson, what an enormous fucking great wankstain of a galloping thundercunt you are.

http://m.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/ne...lling_in_AFC_Wimbledon_s_Plough_Lane_stadium/

 

[Paddy]

"This meant the Dons would be playing in Wimbledon again after more than a decade at Kingsmeadow in Kingston."

This is wrong on so many levels.

If you are part of the 'phoenix club is a new club' brigade like myself then AFC Wimbledon have NEVER played in Wimbledon.

If you a part of the 'phoenix club is a direct continuation' brigade then it's totally glossed over Wimbledon FC's nomadic years since leaving Plough Lane.

Lazy journalism.

 

[devilofajob]

"This meant the Dons would be playing in Wimbledon again after more than a decade at Kingsmeadow in Kingston."

This is wrong on so many levels.

If you are part of the 'phoenix club is a new club' brigade like myself then AFC Wimbledon have NEVER played in Wimbledon.

If you a part of the 'phoenix club is a direct continuation' brigade then it's totally glossed over Wimbledon FC's nomadic years since leaving Plough Lane.

Lazy journalism.

I agree. AFCW have a home at Kingstonian and have since they were formed. They hope to move to Wimbledon which is where their fans (and lots of fans of other clubs) think they should be. Lots of AFCW fans used to watch a club called Wimbledon FC that at one point played at Plough Lane.
I hope they can relocate eventually, but it's the fans who would be "going home", not the club imho.

 

[Kiwi Womble]

And we're the only ones even claiming to be the continuation of Wimbledon fc...don't see what's being achieved by debating it if I'm honest, each to their own though

 

[JaredSUFC]

Might be time to move this to League One, but Sajid Javid, SoS for DCLG isn't calling in the stadium application. This effectively means we can get on with it now, which is great news

https://twitter.com/cllr_alambritis/status/780748380146393088

Nice one. I'm looking forward to seeing the new place

 

[Wombletom]

I'll just leave this here.