CAST has expressed strong concerns that the first iteration of the new RBG Local Plan does not give sufficient recognition to or protection for The Valley, taking into account the considerable community, social, recreational and economic benefits of having a professional football club in this location.
CAST responded formally to the Council’s initial consultation on the draft plan via a detailed eight-page letter prepared on our behalf by Mark Batchelor, a former CAST board member, who leads planning consultancy 4TY. The Club reviewed the letter before submission and fully supports it.
The Council re-awarded Asset of Community Value status for The Valley to CAST, most recently in 2024. In the letter we pointed out that this protection will soon be strengthened. Under the provisions of Schedule 27 of the English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill (currently progressing through Parliament) The Valley will be redesignated as a Sporting Asset of Community Value (SACV), and subject to the strengthened provisions therein. The most significant of these converts the existing Right to Bid to buy the asset into a Right to Buy. This option is subject to a process set out in the Schedule and gives community groups the opportunity to try to register a willingness to buy the asset at a fair market price, as well as time to demonstrate that they are a credible bidder. We feel certain that Charlton fans would want to explore the options created by the SACV designation if the need arises, and that the Council should be aware of this.
We reminded the Council that the stadium is not in the Club’s ownership, but rather is owned by a third party, based internationally and who now has no link to the Club. Whilst the Club has some security of tenure insofar as it has a tenancy agreement which runs until 2040, supporters are concerned in relation to the owner’s intentions and the associated threat to the Club’s future. CAST highlighted that the Football Governance Act means that clubs that own their stadiums cannot move or sell their stadium without referring to the Independent Regulator of Football. As Charlton Athletic Football Club does not own its stadium, there is no such need for referral meaning there is less protection for the Club. In these unique circumstances, we feel it is vital that through the new Local Plan, the Council adopts strong protection for The Valley as a community football stadium. There cannot be a situation where the people of Greenwich (and further afield) forego a recreational and community facility of national importance by because an owner or developer cites that the Plan allows the land to be available for alternative use.
In the light of the significant benefits associated with the Club operating from The Valley and the concerns surrounding the ownership of the stadium, CAST stressed that it is essential that the new Local Plan provides both sufficient policy controls and safeguards while providing unequivocal support for the Football Club's eventual ambitions to purchase the stadium and associated improvements which it may wish to make.
The Draft Plan sets out the Council’s vision for the Charlton area and uses The Valley as a background image for the specific chapter (and therefore implies its importance to the area). However, there is no specific reference to The Valley or the Club in the Council’s vision for the area and CAST finds this a glaring omission. Draft Policy P3 concerns development within Charlton and sets out the Council’s ambitions for the area, including housing development, safeguarding industrial land, supporting the development of creative industries in the area and improving public transport connections and the public realm. It is disappointing that the draft policy does not make reference to the Club or The Valley. If the policy is able to set out safeguards for industrial land then logically it should also set out safeguards for The Valley, including:
- The retention and continued operation of the Club at The Valley; and
- Ensuring that new development does not prejudice the ongoing successful operation of the Club at The Valley.
CAST has respectfully requested that Chapter P3 is amended to make further essential references to the Club and The Valley, explaining its importance to the area’s character and success and that Policy P3 is updated to provide suitable safeguards for the continued use of The Valley by the Club.
As things stand, CAST strongly objects to the draft Local Plan, since it fails to give suitable recognition of, or protection to, The Valley. CAST hopes that this consultation response will lead to the comments being incorporated into the next iteration of the Local Plan. We have offered to meet with Council officers to discuss the points raised. We have copied our detailed letter to local MPs Matthew Pennycook and Clive Efford. If any CAST members would like to see the full letter from 4TY Planning responding to the consultation, please email secretary@castrust.org.
These are the early stages of the consultation process which is likely to take a further 18-24 months. CAST will continue to ensure the voices of Charlton fans and stakeholders are heard throughout. We are very grateful to Mark Batchelor for his professional insight and assistance.
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https://www.castrust.org/join/?v=7885444af42e