Milllwall in dark after council defers decision over land around The Den
Thursday 18 February 2016 10:09, UK
Lewisham Council has decided to defer a decision which could have a huge impact on the future of Millwall.
The issue involves the potential sale of land around The Den to a property development company. The land contains the club's car park, cafe and Lions Centre, a leisure facility with strong links to the community.
The land is currently leased to the League One club by the council, who are now attempting to sell it.
In 2013, Millwall attempted to buy the land and submitted plans for regeneration which included a scheme for 400 houses and a new home for the Millwall Community Trust.
But the council backed the proposal from the property company, Renewal, who say their scheme will create 2,000 jobs plus 2,400 homes and a new overground station.
A petition by the Defend Our Den campaign group, which has over 15,000 signatures, was handed over to Lewisham Council on Wednesday evening.
After receiving the petition, Councillor Joe Dromey said: "We have been listening to all the emails and tweets we have received but unfortunately we are not able to make the decision this evening.
"What we do hope now is that this will give us a brief bit of time where Millwall can sit down with Renewal and hopefully come to a situation which is agreeable to both sides.
"Because what we do need is many, many more houses in London but we also need to respect the places of community institutions like Millwall. So I hope we can find a situation where both can happen."
Millwall chief executive Andy Ambler admits he is baffled by the council's stance but insists a positive outcome is essential for the future of the football club.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, he said: "The council has always been very supportive of Millwall Football Club and that's why we can't understand exactly where they are at the moment.
"But obviously we now hope we can get round the table with them, speak to the cabinet ministers that were going to hear this this evening and I'll invite them down to The Den in the future so that we can discuss this and work a way forward.
"We have to get a result out of this for the future of the football club. It is pretty straightforward. That's our aim and that's what we have to do."
