Lewisham councillor Alan Hall has called for a compulsive purchase order (CPO) for land surrounding The Den, the home ground of English League One football club Millwall, to be reversed.
Last month, Lewisham Cabinet voted in favour of issuing a CPO for the land in a move that granted Lewisham Council the right to buy The Den’s car park, which is owned by Millwall, and other space surrounding the stadium.
The council intends on selling the ground to property developers Renewal, although Lewisham Cabinet is stalling on confirming the order to sell the freehold of the land.
Under Renewal’s plans, 2,400 new homes will be built. Millwall has long expressed concern over the project and has come up with its own development plans that would see about 400 homes built.
Last month’s news came as a blow to Millwall supporters, who fear for the future of a stadium that has been its home since 1993. However, in a boost to fans – some of which have set up the Defend Our Den campaign group – Hall, a leading figure within the council, has called for the decision to be reversed and questioned Renewal’s intentions.
“There are so many holes in the plans, so many questions unanswered and so many alarm bells going off,” Hall told The Guardian newspaper. “Top of our concerns are the mystery directors of the company behind Renewal. The company is offshore and the ultimate beneficiaries are unidentified. Let the mayor and cabinet of a Labour council tell me that is a good thing.
“We need more transparency and assurance before investing taxpayers’ money and taking away other people’s property. Common sense tells you that the mayor and cabinet who ultimately are taking these decisions need to put the brakes on and take stock of the situation.
“The reputation of Lewisham Council is at risk. I and my fellow scrutiny councillors are determined to protect it. There is not a compelling case in the public interest to proceed with a CPO. This decision must be reversed.”
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