AFC Wimbledon: What's been said since the plans for Plough Lane stadium were approved

The multi-million pound plans, which include a 20,000 seat stadium, 602 new homes, squash courts, a crèche and a fitness centre, were passed unanimously by councillors at a planning meeting on Thursday, December 10.

Since then, comments have poured in from all over the world, and some closer to home. #Bringthedonshome was trending on social media the day after the decision, showing the outpouring of support for the club online.

Fans and club staff have campaigned to return to Wimbledon ever since AFC Wimbledon were formed from the ashes of Wimbledon FC in 2002.

An artist's impression of what the new development will look like

AFC Wimbledon coach, Simon Bassey, believes the return should inspire players to work to remain at the club.

He said: "It is bigger than any defeat or victory.

"Everyone has worked hard to get this stadium dream to come true and now we are finally going home.

"Everyone should be smiling and wanting to be at this club when we return there. That is the real focus - to be a part of this club when we return to Plough Lane."

Player Jon Meades said promotion to League One was the team’s top priority right now, and when the team returns to Plough Lane they need fans to "make it their own little cathedral of noise".

He said: "It’s amazing for the club. I think the fans will make it home straight away."

December 11: Cheers and hugging as AFC Wimbledon have Plough Lane stadium plans unanimously approved by Merton Council

December 10: #DDayforDons: AFC Wimbledon's battle for Plough Lane in Wimbledon - Why has it been controversial?

December 10: AFC Wimbledon stadium will be 'the end of greyhound racing', but the sport will fight Plough Lane plans

December 10: Neighbour vows to move out if AFC Wimbledon return to Plough Lane

December 10: "We’ll be getting Wimbledon back to its rightful place": Players and fans look forward to Plough Lane return

However, chairman of the Wimbledon Park Residents' Association Iain Simpson remains against the plans. 

He said: "A significant number of major issues remain unsolved to the satisfaction of many residents who ultimately will bear the impact of this development.

"A unanimous decision was quite surprising in the circumstances. 

"It seems an opportunity for affordable housing has been denied.

"So ends the fight. An appeal is not something we have considered."

Irish businessman Paschal Taggart said he is extremely disappointed with the result, and raised concerns about flooding and traffic consequences around the site.

He said: "How Labour councillors could agree to ten per cent affordable housing on the site as opposed to every other council’s insistence on 40 per cent has to be questioned.

"At the outset our team worked on the basis that the Merton plans would eventually be professionally and correctly examined by the Mayor’s office, and we now await their determination."

The current stadium on Plough Lane 

Mr Taggart had put together an alternative proposal to make the greyhound track the Ascot of greyhound racing but did not submit it to the council for consideration.

Leader of the Merton Conservatives, and councillor for Wimbledon Park, Councillor Oonagh Moulton also expressed misgivings about the plans and the scale of the housing development.

She said: "It’s great to have the Dons back. We have always supported the return of AFC Wimbledon to the borough.

"We need to be focused not only on building much needed homes for Londoners but also on building communities.

"We will therefore continue to lobby Galliard Homes and Merton’s Labour administration to address the legitimate concerns residents have outlined about the need for adequate investment in local school places, GP services and transport infrastructure, all of which are already under strain.

"We wish the Dons all the best in their new home and will be supporting them in their continued rise up the football league."

AFC Wimbledon will be returning to the borough

Ex-player and AFC legend Wally Downes called on fans to be "raucous, supportive, biased, enthusiastic, forgiving, passionate, unendingly loyal and create an atmosphere that can only encourage".

He said: "I think it will be great to have somewhere to call home again. But it will be strange for players to move to a new place, as they have made Kingsmeadow their home.

"The players must be aware of the struggle and the history … but now is their chance to create their own history."

Chairman of Merton Chamber of Commerce, Andrew Wakefield, spoke at the meeting on December 10.

He said afterwards: "Merton Chamber of Commerce gives its wholehearted support to the application.

"This is based on a number of factors including the benefits increased footfall will bring to spend in the borough's businesses, a conference facility that can be used in a similar way to the one at Twickenham Rugby stadium, the contribution that AFC Wimbledon already make to the Merton community that can only be strengthened by their return and a good overall business case."

Fans celebrating at Morden Civic Centre after the plans were approved 

Hundreds of fans also attended the planning meeting to listen to the debate and watch on big screens as the plans were approved.

Fan Bob Ford said: "It’s excellent. We’ve been waiting for this for a long time. It’s the next chapter in our history."

Another fan, Gary Milson, said: "We lost our home and then we lost our club. Finally we are back to the place we never should have left in the first place."

And for Merton Park resident Mark Brewer, the evening had a sense of poignancy too, after the death of his father George in April this year.

Mr Brewer said: "He really wanted to see Wimbledon come home, and he would have been so proud to see it.

"Sadly he missed it, but we are so happy that it’s been approved. It’s a good moment for all of us."

What do you think? Comment below or email letters@wimbledonguardian.co.uk.