Forum Topic

Where is QPR's New Stadium Going to be?

Are there really three possible sites for a replacement for Loftus Road in the local area? There is space up Scrubs Lane possibly and the site between the Park Club and Virgin Acton could maybe fit a ground but both options would have huge drawbacks. Tony Fernandes seems to promising a lot but there are no specifics.

Paul Corcoran ● 4520d24 Comments

A small but significant proportion of people will always drive to games and they are rarely discouraged by parking restrictions. Probably premature to be talking about this anyway. Your point about flats is well made though. QPR are probably only expressing interest to hide the fact that there is no viable site for a new ground available at the moment.

Paul Corcoran ● 4107d

The tunnelling for the Channel Tunnel was done in just four years and the operation of trains through it began just another four years on. If the site in the Old Oak Common rail yards was released for development tight away I reckon you could get a new stadium there within 3 years if plans were already prepared. Certainly it is a possibility envisaged in the Mayor of London's vision for the area - a dodgy document if ever there was one. Personally I think it would make selling luxury flats for zillions in the same area more difficult so it may not happen.But it would be lunacy to do so before there was a transport infrastructure to get spectators in and out. The days of spectators walking in just from the mile or so radius around a ground are long gone. When Crossrail and HS2 are built and there's a new station to receive passengers at Old Oak Common station, with some interconnection with Willesden Junction station and the Bakerloo line/Overground lines there and if new bus routes are developed on north-south routs - a double-decker route to supplement the 228 will be possible once the road level is lowered to enable this - then it will be possible. Any idea that large numbers of spectators could arrive by car is unreal as car parking space is acutely expensive in London, unlike in green field sites. Whether QPR will even be in the Championship by then is arguable.

Dan Filson ● 4108d

At first glance this looks like a great idea. Not too far away for home fans and visiting fans will have great access to the ground from all over the country. However having browsed through the consultation documents am I wrong in thinking that the ground wouldn't be built until 2026 which is too far in the future to be viable for QPR surely?

Paul Corcoran ● 4109d

I enjoyed this site's April Fools but ignoring the nonsense about QPR becoming Brentford's reserves you have to ask why not. Rangers are going down and so their financial situation is going to deteriorate. If they are ever going to establish themselves in the premier league they need a ground that is up to scratch. They have talked to Brentford before about a ground share. The capacity could be increased and would probably only need to go to 30,000 to make QPR a viable top flight outfit.

Andy Jones ● 4244d

At the current rate of trajectory with it looking as if it be the fans of Barnsley and Huddersfield coming to Loftus Road rather than Chelsea and Manchester Utd the existing stadium will do just fine.

Paul Corcoran ● 4428d

'If the Linford Christie Stadium was rebuilt as a football ground it would be a total disgrace, particularly as this is the home ground of one of the UK 's leading athletics clubs'Why not combine the two? I know there was a furore over the Olympic stadium and the apparent lack of atmosphere because the crowd would be so far away but there was a terrific atmosphere at the Olympics even when their wasn't a home athlete competing. Don't buy the argument that the fans need to be close to the pitch. The noisiest fans tend to sit at the back of the stands anyway.

Andy Jones ● 4448d

I agree, so building a football stadium on a vast green open space will actually take away the ability for it to be used by the majority of the people who currently use it, ie joggers, walkers etc, not to mention the children who go on there just to have a kick around with a football.

Carol Burge ● 4471d

The top end well away from where the ground would be is the wildlife part. Anyway Wormwood Scrubs is playing field, not a wildlife park.There was many pitches, poorly kept these days. It is sport that needs the benefit right now.

Michael Wale ● 4474d

What and get rid of a wonderful vast open green space that is a haven for wildlife.  Absolutely not.

Carol Burge ● 4474d

A totally revolutionary solution to the QPR ground should be addressed. Build a new stadium in the centre of the Scrubs. A large car park on one side. On the other towards East Acton renewed and really good all weather soccer pitches for the local community to use. Funded and kept up by QPR., who would be subject  to a Section 106 Agreement. This would make the football club invest in various sporting facilities on the Scrubs, as well as renewing the Linford Christie Stadium for the excellent Thames Valley Harriers. There would be superb tube, bus and national train access.It would need co-operation between Hammersmith and Fulham council and the Min of Defence, who control the Scrubs.Let's start the campaign now.

Michael Wale ● 4475d

I think there is enough space if the Linford Christie Stadium site is used. There is not enough activity at this site which doesn't mean it should be bulldozed though.

David Appiah ● 4475d

So in that area you currently have Hammersmith/DuCane Hospital, Queen Charlottes Hospital, Wormwood Scrubs prison, Linford Christie Stadium, the stables just down from the stadium (not sure of their name).  How on earth can a football stadium also be built there....surely it is not physically possible?

Carol Burge ● 4482d

"Some objections to be ironed out with Hammersmith Hospital but looks like its on.And the architects that did the Olympic Stadium are designing it." Sounds like they mean business but I am concerned about creep into Wormwood Scrubs. Surely too big to be next to the scrubs?

Viv James ● 4483d

Surely it is not big enough, would take up the whole of Wormwood Scrubs.

Carol Burge ● 4489d

Linford Christie Stadium is now favoured option.Some objections to be ironed out with Hammersmith Hospital but looks like its on.And the architects that did the Olympic Stadium are designing it.Handy for the Scrubs too..

bobby osborne ● 4490d

Fulham received permission to expand Craven Cottage but that option is not available to QPR. Relocation is the only option for them.

David Appiah ● 4492d

If the Linford Christie Stadium was rebuilt as a football ground it would be a total disgrace, particularly as this is the home ground of one of the UK 's leading athletics clubs. It is a public amenity and should not be sold off to a football club. QPR should be very wary of selling its present ground without having a new ground built, that way ruin lies. Too many sharks view Loftus Road as prime development land and don't give a toss for football.

Daniel Antony Filson ● 4496d

Sorry the Fulham stadium planning decision is scheduled for tonight 26th (not 25th as that was the Imperial College planning application's turn). It seems last night's sitting went on a bit!

Val Ames ● 4504d

No football stadium on the Dairy Crest site and the planning application has gone in. As an aside I think that the Fulham's Craven Cottage redevelopment is before the planning committee tonight.

Val Ames ● 4505d

Did the exhibition confirm that the Dairy Crest site isn't going to be the new home for QPR? If so where does that leave?

Andy Jones ● 4505d

The public viewing of the plans is today. If anyone goes along and they have slipped in a football stadium please let me know!

Paul Corcoran ● 4512d

Very good point.

Paul Corcoran ● 4517d

Helical Bar are continuing their plans for the Dairy Crest site and will be holding a consultation at the Bush Theatre on Wednesday 18th July so people can have a look at their plans. They intend to submit their application later this month. How can QPR still be looking at the site?

Val Ames ● 4517d

In case there is anybody here interested I got informative answers elsewhere. The Unigate Dairy site seems to be the favourite with plans already being drawn up with an announcement in 2 months. There has been some mention of the Linford Christie stadium and the Park Club site seems to be a long shot at this stage. Not sure why Tony Fernandes is being so cryptic - either the site has been acquired in which case release more details or it hasn't in which case best to say nothing at all.

Paul Corcoran ● 4520d