Details of a multi-million pound plan for AFC Wimbledon’s return to its spiritual home after more than 20 years have been revealed today.

The club has formally submitted detailed plans for a 20,000 seater football stadium, 602 flats, shops, parking and a squash and fitness club to Merton Council, which could be built in phases.

From November: AFC Wimbledon submits plans for new stadium at Plough Lane

A verification process meant the plans were not made public until today when they were published on the council's planning website.

AFC Wimbledon wants to demolish the existing greyhound stadium in Plough Lane, Wimbledon, and build a 20,000 seat stadium.

The first phase would be creating a stadium with 11,000 seats to be expanded over time to the 20,000 maximum capacity, plus hospitality and 297 car parking spaces.

Paschal Taggart, the businessman behind rival plans for a new greyhound stadium on the site, said in October AFC Wimbledon "would need a genie in a bottle" to succeed.,

October 21: Millionaire businessman reveals shock new greyhound plans for Wimbledon Stadium

In a Wimbledon Guardian poll at the time 55% of voters said they would prefer an AFC Wimbledon football stadium to Mr Taggart's plans for greyhound racing.

The AFC Wimbledon planning documents reveal there will be cycle and coach parking and a creation of a new public street if their plans are approved.

The documents lodged with the council today show the multi-million pound development will provide new and improved accommodation for Christophers Squash Club, which is already on the site and which has helped develop the plans for the squash club.

As well as providing five standard courts and a show court, within the proposed new building there will be a larger dance studio and members’ area available for use by the community.

The fitness club will provide a wide range of sports and activities and the facilities suitable for accommodating them.





The old Plough Lane stadium was demolished after Wimbledon left to groundshare with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park and replaced with flats in 2008



The current stadium has a greyhound track

There will also be a hydrotherapy and physiotherapy suite for use by St George’s Hospital.

The housing will be split between three buildings with a mixture of three bedroom maisonettes with private gardens, and one and two bedroom homes.

The applicant is in talks with the council about providing affordable housing on the site currently home to the famous greyhound racing track.

Part of the stadium facing the new homes will have green walls, which the club said will make it look more attractive for residents.

The development depends on whether councillors on the council planning committee approve the proposal.

Kicker Concerns have been raised over traffic and flood plain management and reports addressing these issues have been submitted with the bid.

Plans, submitted on behalf of AFC Wimbledon, Galliard Homes and the Greyhound Racing Association Acquisitions Ltd, were validated by the council today and are scheduled to be brought before the planning committee in February.

A consultation process started today for people to comment on the plans and will be open until January 19.

The Wimbledon Guardian will be speaking to chief executive Erik Samuelson and other interested parties tomorrow about the plans.

What do you think? Leave a comment below.