QPR update: Warren Farm, Linford Christie Stadium and Manning’s future
In early July, West London Sport’s David McIntyre gave answers to some of the most common questions being asked by QPR fans on social media. Here’s another installment…
What’s happening with Warren Farm?
With the legal battle finally settled and QPR having been given the green light for a new training ground at Warren Farm, the next steps have involved fulfilling various pre-planning conditions.
These include things like an ecological management plan, construction and logistics plan and an archaeological service, which were all discharged last week, paving the way for building work to actually begin.
In most cases, this process would have been completed quicker. The delay is in part because it is so long – almost six years – since planning permission was initially granted.
There is now an expectation that building work will commence early next year.
How is the project being funded?
This has not been determined as yet. QPR’s owners seem to favour a bond scheme which would involve others – including fans – contributing to the cost of the project. It will be argued that this is better and more financially prudent than a standard bank loan.
Chief executive Lee Hoos touched on this issue in an interview with Loft For Words last year.
What’s the latest with the Linford Christie Stadium?
In June, Hammersmith & Fulham Council published the results of its consultation, which had set out three possible options for the site: do nothing, an upgrade or a complete redevelopment which would be led either by the council or in partnership with another party.
The results showed that 81% of respondents supported the third option, which would involve the building of a new sporting and/or leisure complex and could include a new football stadium.
It’s not an open goal for QPR, partly because this option has been described as a “performance venue”, with potentially a 45,000 capacity, primarily for events – with or without Rangers being involved.
The club favour a hybrid option and have asked Hammersmith & Fulham Council and the Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust Committee to opt for a 30,000-capacity stadium used by QPR.
Nevertheless, the third of the possible options being favoured at this stage does mean Rangers are still in the game.
However, the Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust Committee, which is responsible for the site, appear to have some misgivings about the consultation’s findings and the initial terms of reference and are looking to appoint an independent consultant to carry out a follow-up study.
This would involve the feasibility of all three proposed options being looked at again, in more detail, with the cost and benefits assessed before a recommendation is made.
This would be funded by, but its advice independent of, the council, and its findings presented to the Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust Committee.
Its terms of reference would this time be likely to include the possible impact on neighbouring areas, such as W10, rather than just W12. It is also possible that a proposed stadium/venue-led development would require a London-wide consultation.
Are Premier League clubs after Ryan Manning?
Clubs are often linked with players when their representatives are negotiating a new contract, which is currently the case with Manning.
His contract expires next year, prompting reports that Premier League clubs believe he could be available for £2m. Rangers are looking to tie him to a new deal and in any case have an option to extend his current one by a year, meaning he is effectively under contract until 2021. The same applies to Bright Osayi-Samuel.
See also: QPR boss shrugs off reports of Manning interest
