Faced with no possibility of expanding its current Loftus Road stadium, which holds only 18,000 spectators, QPR’s wealthy chairman Tony Fernandes has drawn up plans to move and is seeking public support.
As previously reported in December 2013, the club has assembled a team of consultants and designers, including architect Sir Terry Farrell, Wembley Stadium designer Populous, EC Harris, Savills Planning and Anthony Green & Spencer. (See previous report here.)
With its partner, Stadium Capital Developments, QPR has entered into exclusivity land arrangements with Network Rail and other landowners who control major parts of Old Oak.
Antony Spencer from Stadium Capital Development, who is developing the master-plan for Old Oak along with Sir Terry Farrell, said: “We envisage a new vibrant, mixed-use and high-quality development that will regenerate the area and turn this neglected but very well-connected area into a new world-class city quarter.
“We have assembled a top-class professional team to design thousands of new homes and new commercial space, including retail, studios and offices, restaurants, cinemas, a hotel and other leisure accommodation.”
Tony Fernandes said: “We are looking to deliver much more than just a stadium. We want to create a new destination that we propose to call ‘New Queens Park’. It will serve as a catalyst for regeneration, creating thousands of new jobs and homes for local people.
“It will be a major transport hub that will connect Old Oak to the rest of London and other major cities across the UK. Our new 40,000 seat stadium will become a focal point hosting not just football, but other entertainment and community activities for residents and visitors to enjoy.
“This will give us a top quality stadium that will be able to cater for QPR's needs as the club progresses and grows over the years ahead. We are very excited about being the driving force behind creating one of the best new urban places in the world, and making this our new home.
“This is very much the start of the process. 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. The forthcoming public exhibitions provide the first opportunity for this, and as our plans evolve we’ll hold more events.”
QPR will be holding a series of public exhibitions this month and has begun distribution of more than 50,000 newsletters to homes and businesses across west London.
A project website – www.new-queens-park.co.uk – has also been established for people to read about the plans and to have their say.
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