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AFC Wimbledon take another step forward in pursuit of new stadium

Barry Fuller of Wimbledon lifts the trophy with his teammate
Image: AFC Wimbledon were promoted to League One via the play-offs last season

AFC Wimbledon have taken another step towards their new stadium at Plough Lane after the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced a consultation period over their planning application.

The League One club were granted permission last December to build a new 11,000-seater stadium by Merton Borough Council but the application was called into review by former Mayor Boris Johnson.

AFC Wimbledon also exchanged contracts for the sale of their current home at Kingsmeadow to Chelsea last month, giving them as much as £2m to help fund the build in south-west London, where Wimbledon played up until 1991.

Johnson's successor Khan, the Labour MP who was nearby Tooting's MP from 2005 to 2016, has called for any additional information that may challenge the original decision to be brought forward. 

If no substantial new information is forthcoming during the 14-day consultation period, then the application will revert to Merton Council, which has already voted unanimously in favour. 

AFC Wimbledon Chief Executive Erik Samuelson said: "We are delighted that the Mayor of London has announced the next steps in the process.

Newly promoted AFC Wimbledon sell Kingsmeadow ground to Chelsea
Image: Newly promoted AFC Wimbledon sell Kingsmeadow ground to Chelsea

"The planning application we submitted to Merton Council was subject to two public consultations and a very thorough review by the council's planning committee, along with planning officers at Wandsworth Council, and the GLA.

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"All of those representatives supported the approval of the planning application. Therefore, we are confident that this further consultation will end with the planning application being returned to Merton Council.

"Once we have had a chance to fully assess the GLA's statement, we will offer guidance to supporters about how they can help. Until this guidance is published, we ask fans to be patient in our quest to return the club to its spiritual home."

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