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Queens Park Rangers look to leave Loftus Road for new 40,000 seat stadium

Summary:

The club hope to move to Old Oak Common by 2018.

Image:

By Michael Stafford-Jones

Queens Park Rangers plan to build an impressive 40,000 seat stadium in Old Oak Common by 2018.

The club and its partners, Stadium Capital Developments, have been working with the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Hammersmith and Fulham Council to develop a plan for the new stadium which they hope will spark regeneration in the area.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has pledged his support, and says that developing the hundreds of acres of rundown industrial space in the area could cost as much as £14 billion.

If successful, the Old Oak Common project would see the club relocate just over a mile north of their current stadium in Loftus Road.

The clubs recent football results at home have always been positive and they will be hoping that despite a move away they can keep this up.

“Loftus Road is – and always will be – a special place for the club and our supporters, but we need more than an 18,000 capacity,” QPR’s owner, Tony Fernandes, told the club’s official site.

“With no option of expanding here, we have to look elsewhere and we welcome the Mayor’s and Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s commitment to regenerate the area.”

QPR’s CEO, Philip Beard explained that the club wanted to build a ground that both QPR fans and local residents could be proud of, without losing the intense atmosphere of the club’s current venue.

“Loftus Road is renowned for its atmosphere and with the help of our supporters, replicating that at our new stadium will be one of our top priorities.”

The proposed regeneration of the Old Oak Common area also includes entertainment and leisure facilities, iconic office buildings, 24,000 new homes and transport infrastructure for HS2 and Crossrail.

Photo courtesy of Jack Tanner, with thanks.

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