Millwall blow as council votes to sell land around Den

Areas used by community trust will be sold on to property developers

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8 September ~ Millwall were dealt a blow last night after Lewisham Council voted to approve a controversial compulsory purchase order (CPO) of land around the Den, which would see it bought by property developers.

Millwall have said that their long-term future is threatened by the move, which stops them continuing with their own plans for the land. They had proposed a scheme, much of which involved new homes for the local area and facilities for the Millwall Community Trust.

While Millwall will appeal the decision, if the CPO goes through it will see the Den’s car park as well as land used by the club’s community scheme bought by Lewisham Council and then sold on to the developers, Renewal.

Founder of the Defend Our Den campaign and Millwall fan Peter Garston said: “We are terribly disappointed in the result. But we’re heartened by the support from our MPs, the Lewisham Labour Group and Councillor Joe Dromey who voted against it.

“We also appreciated Councillor Brenda Dacres who spoke out against the CPOs at the meeting along with resident Willow Winston. There’s no change for the club as this will be long process.

“But we will fight on for the club, the Millwall Community Trust and the fans.”

Southwark News have a full report on the meeting, which you can read here.

Photo by Tony Davis/WSC Photography: The Den, home to Millwall