QPR say almost 600 local residents have already responded to the club’s consultation on its plans to develop Old Oak and that more than 80% of respondents have welcomed the proposals.
The club’s owners, fronted by chairman Tony Fernandes, have long been keen to transform the land between Scrubs Lane and Willesden Junction into sport and leisure hub.
The area would be known as New Queens Park and include thousands of new homes as well a 40,000-capacity arena to be used by Rangers.
Last week the club sent more than 50,000 newsletters to homes and businesses across west London, inviting people to come and see the initial plans and to have their say on the proposals.
A website – www.new-queens-park.co.uk – was also set up.
“We are delighted with the initial response and we would encourage local residents to get involved in the consultation events,” said Fernandes.
“We are looking to deliver much more than just a stadium. We want to create a new destination which will serve as a catalyst for regeneration, creating thousands of new jobs and homes for local people.
“We want to share our ideas and plans and in turn hear from the local community. The aim is that local residents, our fans and others with an interest in this part of London will come along and help us shape our proposals.”
QPR say that in the first four days of consultation, 570 people responded with 80% agreeing with the club’s proposals and 3% disagreeing.
The club also say 85% agreed and only 4% disagreed that Old Oak is the right location for Rangers to have a stadium.
Their plans were recently described as “speculative and presumptuous” by Tony Mendes, managing director of Cargiant, the car supermarket which owns 45 acres of the site in question, is a major local employer and must be relocated in order for the project to go ahead.
Cargiant say they are pressing ahead with their own plans to regenerate Old Oak and that their proposals, while not including a stadium for QPR, would meet the criteria set by the Greater London Authority in terms of jobs created and new housing built.
QPR say Stadium Capital Developments, the company spearheading the project on their behalf, have secured exclusivity land arrangements with Network Rail and other landowners who control major parts of Old Oak.
Next week, Rangers will host public exhibitions at venues across the boroughs of Hammersmith & Fulham, Brent and Ealing.
The exhibitions are scheduled as follows:
Monday 15 September and Tuesday 16 September: Loftus Road (2pm-8pm)
Wednesday 17 September and Thursday 18 September: Holiday Inn London West, 4 Portal Way, North Acton, W3 6RT (4pm-8pm)
Friday 19 September: St Mark’s Church Hall, Bathurst Gardens, Kensal Rise, NW10 5HX (12 noon-4pm)
Saturday 20 September: St Mark’s Church Hall (9am-1pm)
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This post was last modified on 11/09/2014