Wednesday 25 January 2017 16:33, UK
Millwall's future at The Den looks secure after Lewisham mayor Sir Steve Bullock called for an end to the compulsory purchase of land surrounding the ground.
The Sky Bet League One club had admitted they could be forced out of their south-east London home and move to Kent should Lewisham Council go ahead with a plan to purchase areas around The Den and sell them on to offshore property developers Renewal.
And, amid fierce public pressure, Bullock has now said the compulsory purchase order on Millwall's land "should not proceed", citing concerns raised about the club's community trust and academy.
Development proposals around The Den included 2,400 homes, community facilities and a new railway station.
But on Tuesday, the council ordered an independent inquiry into the CPO and the actions of the Surrey Canal Sports Foundation (SCSF) - a charity set up by Renewal.
Reports emerged last week alleging the SCSF had made inaccurate claims about £2m of funding from Sport England.
In a statement, Bullock - who has been a director of SCSF since December 2012 - said: "Information has been provided by Millwall to the council in the last few weeks that raised two concerns that appear not to have been addressed previously in regard to aspects of the future operation of the Community Sports Scheme and the operation of Millwall's own academy.
"I have always been clear that Millwall must be at the heart of the development and it is my view that these concerns need to be thoroughly addressed the CPO should not proceed and that all parties concerned should enter discussions to identify an agreed way to achieve the regeneration of this area while resolving these concerns.
"Other issues of concern have been raised in relation to the operation of the SCSF and, as soon as these concerns were raised, I wrote to the council's chief executive asking that an independent inquiry take place into them and I cannot comment further until the inquiry reports."
Bullock said he had not made any public comment on the proposed CPO because of his involvement with the Surrey Canal Sports Foundation.
Millwall have welcomed a review into the seizure of land around The Den but said the investigation must be fully independent.
Club chief executive Steve Kavanagh said in a statement: "We welcome the announcement of an investigation.
"We look forward to seeing the full details of how an independent investigation will be conducted and we assume that we will be fully and directly involved in the process.
"We do not feel that our comments and objections to the whole CPO procedure have been listened to by independent minds so far.
"We would challenge the independence of the investigation if it were established and given terms of reference by the council's chief executive, mayor or cabinet."
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