SSR NEWS
HAPPY HAMMERS!
SSR Planning is pleased to announce that planning permission has been obtained on behalf of West Ham United Football Club for their new training ground at Rush Green in East London. The permission is part of the first phase of the development of the site, which would allow the Club to move to the site and use it as their main base for first team training. The ultimate aim would be to replace the existing buildings with a purpose-built training and media centre for the Club.
The site was previously used by Ford United Football Club as a private sports ground and so it was argued that the club could move into the site without the need to apply for change of use. However, in order for the Club to use the site a number of structures would be required, including a new groundsman’s building, security office, catch fencing and bunding, along with the refurbishment of the existing sports club building to provide the facilities required for a Premier League Football Club.
The site is situated within the Metropolitan Green Belt and SSR successfully argued that there was an essential need for the structures in this sensitive location. It was considered that in order to maintain the site as a compatible Green Belt use, it was essential that a groundsman’s building and other structures were allowed to maintain the pitches to the high standard required for a Premier League football team.
It is now for West Ham United to decide as to how they wish to proceed with the site and when they move forward with their development proposals.
