London Mayor Sadiq Khan says Millwall must stay in Lewisham as future at The Den hangs in the balance

EXCLUSIVE
Mayor Khan backs Millwall’s campaign to stay in Lewisham
David Horn/Focus Images Ltd
Giueseppe Muro11 January 2017

London Mayor Sadiq Khan today gave his support to Millwall staying in Lewisham after the club were given a lifeline in their battle to remain at The Den.

The League One club warned this week the club could be forced to relocate to Kent if land around the stadium was sold to property developers.

Last night Lewisham Council adjourned the decision on the compulsory purchase order until next month, saying it needs more time to investigate the threat to Millwall’s academy if the sale went ahead.

A group of local Conservatives wrote to the Mayor this week urging him to step in and review the proposed development at New Bermondsey.

Khan does not have the powers to intervene — he can only call in any planning application — but he does want Millwall to remain in Lewisham.

A spokesperson for Khan told Standard Sport: “The Mayor has no powers to intervene in this compulsory purchase order but is committed to building more new and genuinely affordable homes in the borough, through his New Bermondsey housing zone.

“The Mayor wholeheartedly supports Millwall Football Club staying in Lewisham.”

Photo: Jack Taylor/Getty Images
Jack Taylor/Getty Images

The support from Khan came as Millwall chief executive Steve Kavanagh reiterated that the club may have to leave the area after more than a hundred years.

Millwall fear their academy would close should the land be sold to developers Renewal and it seems unlikely the issue will be resolved before the rearranged meeting next month.

Despite being granted a stay of execution in their battle to stay at The Den, it is understood Millwall remain concerned the council are not willing to understand their fears.

Millwall believe they will lose their category two academy status because the council’s proposals would force them to move their academy.

Kavanagh said today: “What I was asked is would I rule out relocation in the event the CPO went through? And I cannot rule out such a move.

“I have to look at every single angle to make sure the commercial viability and long-term future of the club and its community trust is well served where we live. We have been in the borough since 1910 and we do not want to go anywhere. But if we are treated in such a manner that this goes through and we are not at the heart of the proposed development, then we have to consider what we do.

“We would look at all angles and consider where it is best for the club to live. Can I rule out that we would move? No I cannot.”

Labour-run Lewisham council deny its plans are a threat to Millwall.

They have given the club two weeks to provide more information about the threat to their academy.

A council spokesman said today: “There has been an ongoing exchange of correspondence between the council and Millwall over the last few weeks about the status of the Millwall youth academy. A little more time is needed to complete this, and so the Mayor and Cabinet is not in a position to reconsider the decision today.

“We are asking MiIlwall Football Club to provide outstanding information by January 23 as we intend to reconsider and make the decision in February.”

Concerns have also been raised about the threat to the Millwall Community Trust and the club want to use the delay to speak to the council about their fears. It is understood the council tried to arrange last-minute talks with Kavanagh before tonight’s decision was postponed with the club having called for a meeting earlier.

The date of the February meeting has yet to be finalised but even if the council approve the plans, a public inquiry that could take nine months would be held before a final decision is made by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Sajid Javid.

The dispute is set to reumble on but Lewisham Labour councillor Alan Hall has welcomed the latest development.

He said: “As the CPO call in review is further delayed Lewisham Council must seize the offer of talks with both hands for the sake of its reputation, its residents and Millwall FC.”

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in