Cray Wanderers' stadium blow: We are disappointed and frustrated by the delay, says chairman Gary Hillman

The board of Cray Wanderers have received a disappointing and frustrating delay in their pursuit for a home ground to secure a future for the oldest football club in London.

The board have been made aware that their planning application for a home ground on the site of Flamingo Park on the A20 Sidcup by-pass in Chislehurst, is no longer able to be heard at the Development Control Committee meeting today as the London Borough of Bromley are awaiting a delayed Stage 1 report from the Greater London Authority (GLA).



It is now anticipated that the application will be deferred to the next meeting of the Development Control Committee which isn’t until Tuesday 13 March 2018.

This two month delay risks putting the entire project in jeopardy as the land option agreement the club have times out at the end of the year. 

Without a home to call their own there is a real chance London’s oldest football club could cease to exist.

The revised planning applications have received over 1,500 letters of support lodged with Bromley Council and hundreds of club’s supporters were planning to attend the Committee hearing to show their support.

The new planning application submitted to the London Borough of Bromley Council has been created through pre-application consultation with Bromley Council and the GLA.

The club are confident the scheme addresses the Mayor’s previous concerns whilst increasing the greenbelt space and openness of the site.

The new application includes:
* A reduction in previous developed land on the site
* A reduction in residential and commercial floor areas
* A reduction in the height of buildings (four storeys to two)
* An extra community football pitch
* More greenbelt openness

Cray Wanderers’ chairman Gary Hillman said in a statement: “We are disappointed and frustrated by the delay. However, we are convinced Bromley Council and the London Mayor will view the further enhanced community and environmental merits of our scheme in March and give our loyal supporters the home they deserve.

“I have written to the Mayor to state the urgency of the matter and the importance of receiving the delayed Stage 1 report as soon as possible.”

Cray Wanderers romped to the top of the Bostik South table by humiliating Ashford United 9-1 at Hayes Lane last night and host second-placed Lewes on Saturday (15:00).