Mayor of London Boris Johnson has asked for more work to be done on AFC Wimbledon’s stadium bid before he can back it but the club said the latest report was a substantial step forward.

A report from the Greater London Authority (GLA) on behalf of the Mayor of London has raised a number of what it calls deficiencies in the plan for 602 homes and a new stadium in Plough Lane.

Club chief executive Erik Samuelson said he was pleased the GLA supported the plan in principle, and said it was already working on responses from other bodies, which had echoed the GLA’s comments.

Mr Samuelson said the latest report was a significant step forward as part of a long road to what the club hopes will be a successful return to the borough.

The report, which was published on Wednesday, says: “The Mayor considers that while the principle of development is in general accordance with strategic and local planning policy, the application does not comply with the London Plan for the reasons set out in paragraph 111 of this report; but that the possible remedies set out in that paragraph could help address these deficiencies.”

The London Plan is an overall strategic plan for the capital which sets out a “fully integrated economic, environmental, transport and social framework for the development of the capital to 2031".

Paragraph 111 refers to the 23 page report’s conclusion, which raises a number of points on aspects of the stadium plan including affordable housing, flood risk and transport.

The report said there needed to be further discussion with Merton Council and the Environment Agency (EA) before the flood risk of proposals could be appropriately assessed.

Last month the EA also requested more detail about flood management.

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The GLA report said the density of housing exceeded London Plan guidance for a site of this character in this location and asked for more information.

It said further work was needed “across some key areas before the application is referred back to the Mayor for his final decision.”

It said: “These include cycle parking, match day rail and pedestrian impacts and the impact of any subsequent temporary road closures, match day taxi and private hire facilities.

“Discussions will need to be had with Wandsworth and Merton Councils on match day parking controls, local highway impacts and mitigation for pedestrians and cyclists.”

Among the comments, it encourages more bicycle parking and said there should be elevated seating for disabled visitors.

Mr Samuelson said: “The report clearly says it supports our application in principle.

“We are really pleased about that. As we would expect, it asks for a lot of clarification, which we are already working on because it echoes what other bodies are asking for.

“There is more work to be done. This is a substantial step forward."

The plans include a 20,000 seater football stadium, 602 flats, shops, parking and a squash and fitness club, which could be built in phases.

The council’s planning committee will decide whether to approve the proposal at a meeting in the spring.

The council’s consultation, which saw more than 5,000 responses, has now ended.

AFC Wimbledon and Galliard Homes will answer questions at a council-run session at Ricards Lodge High School in Wimbledon on Wednesday, February 11 from 7pm.