Mayor of London Sadiq Khan formally handed back to Merton Council today, powers to progress AFC Wimbledon’s application for a 20,000-seater football stadium which would bring the club back to its home town.

The Mayor’s move to allow the council to continue the planning process for the new stadium and housing development follows a GLA report published at the end of July which indicated that this would be Sadiq Khan’s intention. Merton Council’s cross party planning committee unanimously agreed to grant AFC Wimbledon permission in December 2015.

Leader of Merton Council Councillor Stephen Alambritis said: “This is the icing on the cake in what has been a superb two weeks for British sport at the Olympics. I am absolutely thrilled with the Mayor’s decision to hand the decision back to us and we look forward to the home-coming of this much-loved and well-deserving team. Merton wants to see AFC Wimbledon back on Wimbledon turf. We will now be working with the applicant towards the delivery of the site. The club has been very patient throughout the process and now the dream of players and fans alike, many of whom are local, is set to become reality.”

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

Next steps: The process will conclude at the next council planning committee on 15 September where the Mayor of London’s consultation and response will be noted. The scheme can then be progressed.

Leader of Merton Council Councillor Stephen Alambritis is available for interview. Please contact 020 8545 3483/3752.