Fulham FC to expand Riverside stand and open Thames Path

Fulham FC will redevelop its Riverside Stand to increase the capacity at its Craven Cottage stadium to 29,600.

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Fulham FC plans to redevelop its Riverside Stand

Fulham FC will redevelop its Riverside Stand to increase the capacity at its Craven Cottage stadium to 29,600. The work will also see the Thames Path opened for the first time, for pedestrians to walk from Hammersmith to Putney Bridge.

Planning permission was granted by Hammersmith & Fulham Council on 20 March at a meeting of H&F Council’s Planning and Development Control Committee. The redevelopment plans will deliver £650,000 of cash benefits for local people.

There is also an agreement to use local contractors for construction; offer employment and training opportunities; and provide community, leisure and sporting opportunities for local residents and schools.

“This is great news for Fulham FC and Craven Cottage at a time when they are pushing for promotion to the Premier League,” said Kim Dero, Chief Executive of H&F Council.

“It is also great news for the local community, who will benefit in many ways from the redevelopment. Our job now is to ensure the hugely impressive package of associated benefits is delivered for the local area.”

Works ahead

As part of the £100m development, Fulham FC will:

  • demolish the existing Riverside Stand, to be replaced by a new two-tier stand with an increased capacity, and improved facilities;
  • install a new riverside walkway, to be open to the public on non-match-days; and
  • build new leisure and retail facilities, plus nine serviced apartments.

As well as providing jobs and new facilities for the local community, H&F Council has secured a series of benefits for the local community, worth a total of £1.8m. These include:

  • £150,000 worth of improvements to Putney Bridge station;
  • £660,000 up front for the restoration and maintenance of Bishops Park, with that figure rising to more than £1m within 10 years;
  • a requirement for Fulham FC to be good neighbours, stewarding fans through the local area on the way to and from the stadium, and cleaning up after them each and every matchday.

There will also be contributions towards a number of local transport schemes, focusing on green transport and the safety of pedestrians.

The development will, for the first time, open the riverside walkway for public use behind the stadium, creating a continuous Thames-side walkway in the area on non-match-days.

Fulham Football Club CEO, Alistair Mackintosh, said: “We are all delighted with the outcome of the decision. Craven Cottage has been the home of Fulham Football Club since 1896 and it’s fantastic news for our supporters, our local community and everyone associated with the Club.

“Subject to fulfilling the necessary conditions, we are excited that plans to redevelop the Riverside Stand may proceed and improve facilities available throughout the year, helping to deliver our Chairman’s long-term vision of providing a world-class venue whilst safeguarding the Club’s future at Craven Cottage.”

The works will get underway by the summer, and are expected to take two years to complete.

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