“Things are falling into place” the chairman of Queens Park Rangers FC has said in response to progress of regeneration plans at Old Oak Common.
Tony Fernandes’s assertion came after the secretary of state for communities and local government, Eric Pickles, confirmed he supported plans for a Mayoral Development Corporation to lead a mega-redevelopment at the West London site.
The Premier League boss also welcomed Sir Edward Lister, London’s deputy mayor for policy and planning, saying that City Hall was supportive of the idea of a stadium and was in active discussion with QPR and Cargiant about developments at the land.
QPR wants to develop a 40,000-seat stadium and 24,000 homes at the land. It is intended to replace the club’s Loftus Road ground in Shepherds Bush, W12.
However, it has faced competition from Cargiant which also wants to pursue a regeneration proposal at Old Oak.
The MDC which Pickles has supported would allow a single, transparent and robust body to spearhead the regeneration of the 2,348-acre site that straddles Hammersmith & Fulham, Brent and Ealing boroughs.
Pickles said: “Housebuilding is a key part of the government’s long-term economic plan so it is absolutely right that delivering new homes is at the heart of this exciting regeneration scheme.”
Fernandes said: “I’m more optimistic that things are falling into place. We have worked hard and things are moving in the right direction.”
He added: “We have a separate team led by Mark Donnelly at QPR and Antony Spencer from Stadium Capital Developments, and we have the support of key decision makers, who we will continue to work closely with to make it happen.”
An order has been laid before parliament to create the new MDC body, which will be known as the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation. Subject to approval, it will come into existence on 1 April.
It will be followed by a similar piece of legislation to give the OPDC planning powers.
