QPR hoping for new stadium boost

QPR’s prospects of a building new stadium at Old Oak could receive a boost next Wednesday.

The planning committee of the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation is due to assess the findings of a recent public consultation, which will show there is almost 90% support for a stadium-led regeneration.

Perhaps more importantly, a joint application by QPR and the club’s partners, Genesis Housing Association, to build around 600 homes on the site of Oaklands will be considered. 

Oaklands, a derelict former hostel, is situated at the top of Old Oak Common Lane. If approved, building work could commence later this year.

While a decision on QPR’s stadium proposals is some way off, the planning application for Oaklands being approved would see Rangers involved in the first major development at Old Oak and would raise the club’s hopes of being at the heart of the wider regeneration project.

The big prize

QPR’s Malaysian owners, fronted by chairman Tony Fernandes, have long been keen to develop the area between Scrubs Lane and Willesden Junction, which would be known as New Queens Park and include a new home for Rangers as part of a sporting and leisure complex.

In September 2014, the club held a consultation which involved a six-day public exhibition, meetings with local groups, 50,000 newsletters being distributed and a project website being set up.

There were almost 3,000 responses and 2,524 (89%) of people said they agreed with Rangers’ vision for Old Oak, while only 302 (11%) said they disagreed.

In addition, 2,484 (88%) supported Old Oak as the location for a new stadium and 332 (12%) said they disagree with the idea.