Brent grants permission for 8 extra events at Wembley Stadium up to May 2019

Fans leaving Wembley Park station for the stadium

Tottenham Hotspur will be able to play 8 additional matches at Wembley Stadium following a decision by Brent Planning Committee last night.  Up to three events will be up to 90,000 capacity and five at a 62,000  between 15th January and 12th May 2019. The 62,000 capacity crowd will now be able to use the upper tiers of the stadium.

Originally 17 events had been requested of which 10 were capped at 62,000 and 7 up to full capacity.

The Planning Committee approved the plans unanimously after receiving assurances about mitigation measures. 62 residents had objected to permission being granted along with a local residents association. Wembley Traders Association supported the application.

A substantial number of objections were from people living in the new Quintain development and the rest were spread fairly evenly in the area around the stadium.  Committee members expressed concern about the impact of mid-week evening matches at Wembley Park station when commuters and fans combined. Cllr Maurice said that there was over-crowding at Baker Street station on such event days. He was told this was outside the remit of the Planning Committee but that TfL had not submitted any concerns. Furthermore, when he told the Committee about the concerns of a fellow councillor in Harrow about the impact on Stanmore, when fans parked there and came into Wembley via the Jubilee line, he was told that this should be taken up with Harrow Council.

The Committee were told that action could not be taken against local residents who let their drives out to fans but that action was being taken over 'rogue parking lots', particularly in the industrial estate bordering the stadium. One appeal had been successful and the Council were taking it to the High Court. Officers did not mention that they were taking action against local schools that let their playgrounds out for parking to earn much needed additional income at a time of cuts.

If Spurs move to their new stadium early in the period the Committee were told that the additional events granted could not be transferred to another organiser.

Note: During the meeting I tweeted concern that the toilets at Wembley Park station have been closed for some time on the recommendation of the Metropolitan Police because of 'anti-social behaviour.' My requests for information on when they will re-open have not been answered.

The recording of the Planning Committee Meeting can be found here  https://brent.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/398566

Brent Council announces Spurs have the right to play at Wembley until December 2018

Residents who breathed a sigh of relief that they could soon go about their business in Wembley at weekends without the traffic jams and suspended bus routes associated with Spurs occupation of Wembley may have to think again. Tottenham's stadium may not be  ready for the new season and an announcement on Brent Council's website clearly doesn't see that as a problem:

Tottenham Hotspur will play their first game of the new football season at Wembley, against Fulham on 18 August 2018.

With the development of their new stadium yet to be completed and a number of test events due to take place before it can be officially opened, Tottenham have asked to again use Wembley for their opening fixture.

Tottenham have stated they will move into their new stadium in time for the Liverpool fixture on Saturday 15 September 2018.

However, until that is contractually confirmed, Tottenham retain the option to play home games at Wembley up until 7 October 2018 and Champions League games up until 12 December 2018.

Any Tottenham games at Wembley next season will be accommodated within the existing planning permission for the Stadium, and be part of their agreed programme of events for the year.

Tottenham Hotspur's stay at Wembley Stadium - details

A number of concerned local residents have asked me about Tottenham Hotspur's plans for using Wembley Stadium.  I reproduce below their statement made earlier this summer which makes clear that the main impact will be in the 2017-18 season:
 

The Club can confirm that we have reached agreement with Wembley National Stadium Limited (WNSL) to play our Champions League fixtures for the 2016/17 season at Wembley Stadium.

 

This will be necessary in order to meet UEFA requirements, which will be impacted by the works in and around the current stadium affecting access, capacity and rights delivery.

As we shall be required to vacate White Hart Lane to complete the latter stages of our new stadium and surrounding environs, the agreement additionally provides an option to play all our Premier League and cup home games at Wembley Stadium for the 2017/18 season. It is our intention to open the new stadium for the 2018/19 season. This timetable is, however, also dependent on infrastructure, transport and associated commitments being delivered by TfL and Haringey Council.

Chairman Daniel Levy said:

We are delighted that, through working in partnership with WNSL and the Football Association, we have been able to reach this agreement. Given the current reduction in capacity at White Hart Lane for next season and the ticketing requirements for Champions League, playing at Wembley will mean that we can continue to accommodate all of our existing Season Ticket holders. Our season ticket waiting list is over 50,000 so this now also offers us a great opportunity to provide more of our supporters with a chance to see the team play live during our Champions League campaign.

Importantly, as we know it was our fans' preference, it means that we can continue to play our home matches in London during our season away.

Football Association Chief Executive, Martin Glenn said:

Having Tottenham at Wembley for big European nights next season is a welcome opportunity for us to further the stadium’s position as a world-class venue. As well as helping the club and its fans, it will benefit London and English football in general with our commitment to reinvesting all profits back into the game.

The increased revenue will particularly help us meet our targets for improving coaching and grassroots facilities and growing participation. We were already on a strong financial footing, which allowed us to reinvest £117m back into the game at all levels last season.

We should like to thank all our supporters for their patience during the period leading up to this announcement.