Kingstonian’s chairman says the club can “rediscover its identity” after he revealed it was in talks to build a new stadium in Chessington.
Ks current home at Kingsmeadow which they share with AFC Wimbledon
The 130-year-old club has been working alongside real estate developer Affinity Global to build a stadium on Chessington Golf Centre and will unveil concept drawings for the site next week.
This newspaper revealed in November that the centre – which is on greenbelt land – was being eyed by a developer to build 700 homes, a swimming pool, leisure centre and football pitch.
Friday, December 11, 2015: What now for Kingstonian? Ks' future in the balance as AFC Wimbledon secure move back to Plough Lane
Thursday, November 10, 2015: CONFIRMED: Developer eyeing up huge housing development on greenbelt Chessington Golf Centre
Thursday, October 3, 2015: Campaign to save Kingstonian from extinction closes in on council debate
Kingstonian chairman Mark Anderson said: “It will be the making of the club if we can get it.
“Let me make it absolutely clear it’s not cut and dry, but it’s the right time to release some more information.
“It’s about putting our stamp on something, it will be our home we hope for the next 100 years.
“We will be able to generate revenue from our own bar, from hiring out the clubhouse. I’m well aware there’s an awful lot of work ahead of us.”
Ks fans presented a petition calling on Kingston Council to secure the future of the club in December
A spokeswoman for Affinity Global confirmed the company was in discussions with Kingston Council on developing a “leisure-led hub” for the site.
But Chessington councillor Rachel Reid claimed that councillors in the area had received limited information on any development, having only received a letter from the developer saying there would be “limited incursion on the greenbelt” last week.
She said: “All we knew was when that story broke back in November we’d had that meeting with the leader of the council then, then we heard nothing until we got a letter in the post last week.
“Any incursion into the greenbelt is an incursion, limited or not.”
The Surrey Comet revealed in November that the centre, which is on greenbelt land, was being eyed by a developer
Kingston councillor and Ks fan Jon Tolley said: “If we are building a football ground over affordable housing in Chessington then I do not think that is right. Have all the other options been exhausted?”
Chessington north councillor Andrew Day said, in a statement released through Kingston Council’s press office: “I support any new sporting and leisure facilities coming to the south of the borough. However, I also share residents’ concerns of over-development and the pressure on transport, schools and infrastructure that this might bring.”
Ks were forced to look for a new stadium after AFC Wimbledon, the leaseholders to current ground Kingsmeadow, secured planning permission to build a 20,000-seater stadium in Plough Lane in Merton in December.
The Dons are in advanced talks to sell the lease to Kingsmeadow to reigning Premier League champions Chelsea, who plan to use the stadium for their women’s team.
The Dons planned 20,000-seater stadium in Merton
Ks fan Jamie Cutteridge presented a petition to Kingston Council to secure the club’s future soon after the Dons gained planning permission.
He said: “It’s a really mixed kind of reaction really, obviously if the ground gets sorted the future of the club is secured, but what we want is a future in Kingston.
“You want to be able to drink in the town centre before. It’s also going to be more difficult to get there.”
- Got a story? Call the newsdesk on 020 8722 6315 or send an email to jonathan.mitchell@london.newsquest.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel