Warren Farm latest: QPR take next steps following recent legal victory
The first steps towards building a new QPR training ground at Warren Farm have begun following the club’s legal victory.
A long-running battle was finally resolved when the Supreme Court recently threw out the latest appeal against the proposals.
Ecological and archaeological tests are now being carried out on the site on behalf of the club.
The next stage will be to conduct testing for asbestos, the results of which will give an indication of how soon the dilapidated Warren Farm Sports Centre can be demolished to make way for the new development.
There is currently no timescale set for building work to begin.
Timeline: QPR’s seven-year battle over Warren Farm
January 2012
West London Sport reveal that QPR want to build a new training ground on the site of the Warren Farm Sports Centre.
February 2012
Non-League Southall FC also express interest in building on the site, but it comes to nothing.
March 2012
QPR confirm they are looking to build a training ground at Warren Farm. Philip Beard, then the club’s chief executive, subsequently tells West London Sport Rangers are in “the final stages” of drawing up their proposal and want building work to commence “as fast as possible.”
April 2012
QPR submit plans to Ealing Council to build a training ground on the site – the plans are subsequently revised in light of objections from local residents.
April 2013
Planning permission is granted by Ealing Council – QPR’s intention is to begin work within months and for the new training ground to be open by late 2015.
January 2014
After plans are revised again following more objections, a development agreement is signed by Ealing Council and QPR, who at this stage believe the training ground will be ready in 2016.
July 2014
West London Sport reveal QPR are considering scrapping the Warren Farm project.
August 2014
Tony Fernandes confirms QPR are considering scrapping the project and tells West London Sport it is because of delays caused by a series of objections lodged by opponents.
October 2014
West London Sport reveal QPR are set to go ahead with Warren Farm project – but a cheaper, scaled-down version with significantly more modest plans than the original proposals.
May 2015
QPR submit a revised planning application.
September 2015
The revised plans are approved by Ealing Council – but local objections continue.
July 2016
An application for a footpath across the site of the proposed training ground, which would have scuppered QPR’s plans, is rejected by Ealing Council’s Regulatory Committee – but the Hanwell Community Forum seek a judicial review of the original decision to give planning permission for a training ground.
November 2016
The Save Warren Farm group launches a crowdfunding appeal to raise money for the legal challenge.
March 2017
High Court upholds Ealing Council’s decision to grant planning permission – but opponents take case to the Court of Appeal.
March 2018
Court of Appeal’s judicial review upholds Ealing Council’s decision. Objectors are given 28 days to appeal.
April 2018
West London Sport reveal appeal has been lodged. Confirming the news, QPR say they will not give up.
October 2018
West London Sport reveal a ‘permission to appeal’ application is expected be considered by Supreme Court Justices within weeks. They will either throw the latest appeal out, potentially paving the way for QPR to begin work, or grant a Supreme Court appeal, which would prolong the legal battle until at least late 2019.
November 2018
After the application for a Supreme Court appeal is rejected, QPR announce that all legal avenues have been exhausted and construction can begin.
