Lionel Road Stadium Shrinks in Capacity

As part of suite of "minor modifications" by Brentford FC

Lionel Road Development, as granted

Brentford FC is planning to make amendments to their Lionel Road stadium, with a pre-application meeting announced for 24 August. The change would see "minor modifications" including a reduction in stadium capacity to 17,250 from the previously approved size of 20,000.

Planning permission was granted back in November 2013 with outline permission for 910 flats and a detailed application for a 20,000 seater stadium.

The changes from the original plans are understood to be driven by the need to meet Premier League standards for media facilities in the stadium and to accommodate Premiership Rugby Union now that London Irish are to play their games there. In addition, access to the stadium construction site would have been limited on the original design so the footprint of the stadium has been moved to create space between the site and the railway lines at the northern perimeter.

The new stadium will now include 'premium lounges' with the capability of welcoming up to 3,000 guests. There is also provision for some safe standing, when legislation allows for this.

The changes have meant that Brentford FC Community Sports Trust can no longer be accommodated within the stadium and their offices have now been moved to elsewhere in the development along with the Learning Zone and Hounslow’s Interim Education Centre. The club say that this change will end the need for the Trust to vacate its premises on match days. They will now be located in the ground and first floors of one of the residential blocks.

The changes do not involve an increase in the plot size of the development, the height of any of the buildings or the number of residential units to be included. A new square is proposed to link the residential developments with the stadium and provide a proper main entrance.

Original site layout

Also the look of the residential buildings is to be changed to ‘make them much more in keeping with the existing architecture in the local area’ and apartment buildings have been replanned to ‘better suit market needs’. Residents' groups were surprised at the density of flats permitted but the club claimed they were needed for the viability of the project.

Cliff Crown, Chairman of Brentford FC said: “I would like to thank the fans of Brentford FC for their support and patience during this last stage of detailed planning. I know that some fans may be concerned that the capacity of the stadium will be reduced but it is critical that this project is as financially robust and deliverable as possible. I am delighted that we are continuing to prepare for life in the Premier League with enhanced media, Outside Broadcast and lighting facilities to make the stadium fully compliant from day one, with provision for safe standing as soon as legislation allows.”

Brentford FC, together with its development partner Be (formerly Willmott Dixon Residential), are presenting amendments to the approved Brentford Community Stadium development to members of the London Borough of Hounslow (LBH) Planning Committee on 24 August before plans are submitted in early September for the Council to consider. These are the final changes which, subject to approval by LBH, will mean construction of the new stadium is expected to start early in 2018 with the aim of completion by late 2019 or early 2020.

The pre-application proposals forum takes place on 24 August from 7:30pm in Committee Rooms 1&2 at Hounslow Civic Centre. The public can attend, but may not speak.

August 16, 2017