Brentford Football Club and residential developer Willmott Dixon have signed a Development Agreement to deliver a new 20,000 capacity stadium at Lionel Road South, in Brentford, together with other community facilities, new homes and shops.

As part of the agreement, Willmott Dixon will also take forward plans for Brentford’s existing stadium at Griffin Park.

Under this agreement, the Club will contribute its land at Lionel Road South site where Willmott Dixon, as development partner, will build the stadium, associated infrastructure and 910 new homes, including 338 that will be available specifically for private rent under Willmott Dixon’s Private Rental Sector (PRS) company be:here.

When the new stadium is open The Bees will relocate from Griffin Park, where Willmott Dixon will develop 70 three and four bedroom family homes for private sale.

The Griffin Park development will include a memorial garden to commemorate the history of the football ground where the Club has played since 1904.

Now the agreement is signed, the next immediate step is for London Borough of Hounslow to issue the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to enable the Club to complete the land assembly.

Meanwhile the Club and Willmott Dixon will progress all the essential permissions and preparatory work to ensure a start on site later next year.

Commenting on the deal, Cliff Crown, the Chairman of Brentford FC, said: “Signing the Development Agreement with Willmott Dixon is the next significant step towards our goal of playing in a new community stadium.

“I’d like to thank all parties involved in finalising the agreement, including the team at Willmott Dixon, our lawyers Taylor Wessing, and all the advisors in our project team.

“We are excited about working with the Willmott Dixon team who have a proven track-record of taking forward similar high-quality developments utilising their skill for delivering substantial residential accommodation within a wider regeneration project.

“This agreement confirms the deliverability of our scheme and we now have in place a sound commercial model and a sensitive design approach which will create an exciting stadium for our supporters, opportunities for new jobs and local businesses and an attractive environment for visitors and local residents.

“It’s a great Christmas present for all Bees fans, 125 years after the Bees were founded; we have an exciting future ahead of us.”

Andrew Telfer, Chief Executive at Willmott Dixon’s development company Regen said: “We are delighted to be working with Brentford Football Club to turn their exciting vision for a fantastic new stadium into reality.

“This deal highlights our ability to combine our homes for sale and private rent business models to cross-fund significant projects like stadia as well as deliver large volumes of residential accommodation for both tenures.

“In particular, our PRS homes will also help create a vibrant community of renters with good access to central London and to local employers, large and small, including global companies such as GSK and SKY on Brentford’s ‘Golden Mile’.

“The scale and approach of this development is similar to other large regeneration schemes we are undertaking in the South East where our Prime Place and be:here companies combine to create popular mixed-tenure communities.

“Importantly as long term partners, we have a good cultural fit with Brentford FC as we share a strong commitment to support the growth and prosperity of local communities.

“We look forward to working with the Bees to create a bright new future for the Club and this part of Hounslow.”

Leader of Hounslow Council, Councillor Steve Curran said: “This agreement seals a great step forward for the Bees, Brentford and the whole borough.

“It’s another sign that Hounslow and Brentford is fast becoming known as west London’s boomtown.

“Let’s keep our fingers crossed that The Bees continue their great start to the season and grab promotion to the Premier League in the New Year.”

The project team for the Lionel Road stadium is pleased to announce that Rhys Williams has joined the team in the role of Project Coordinator.

Rhys has previously been involved as a volunteer through the BIAS Stadium Action Group and the campaign to rally support for the stadium planning application.

He is a Brentford resident and a Season Card Holder on the Ealing Road terrace and joins from his previous role as the Co-ordinator for PRASEG Ltd, the All Party Parliamentary Renewable and Sustainable Energy Group.

Rhys will work with Brian Burgess and Chris Gammon and is the first full-time employee of Brentford FC (Lionel Road) Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of Brentford Football Club), which will be the Stadium Operator for the multi-purpose community stadium.

Brian Burgess said: “Now that the project has planning permission and we are close to finalising a development agreement for the detailed design and construction of the stadium and associated residential units we have started planning and preparing for the stadium operations and organisation to run it.

“We are delighted that we have been able to appoint Rhys to help with the huge amount of work that lies ahead.

“One of our aims is to provide local jobs for local people.

“Rhys’ knowledge as a member of the Brentford community will be a valuable asset.”

Hounslow Council and Brentford Football Club have signed the Section 106 Planning Agreement, which has enabled the Council this week to issue the formal Planning Permission for the new Community Stadium at Lionel Road South, together with 910 residential units, a hotel and improvements to the public realm.

The grant of Planning Permission comes after a significant period of discussions and negotiations with the Mayor of London’s office and Transport for London, as well as the London Borough of Hounslow as Planning Authority to secure the social, economic and environmental benefits for the Football Club, the Brentford FC Community Sports Trust charity and the surrounding community.

The Club submitted its planning application on May 31 2013.

Hounslow Council Planning Committee resolved on December 5 2013 to grant planning permission subject to the conclusion of the Section 106 Agreement.

This decision was endorsed by the Mayor of London’s office at the Greater London Authority (GLA) in February and in March the Planning Minister, Nick Boles, confirmed the decision after it had been referred to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

The Club, the Trust and the fans at Brentford FC appreciate all of the work that Hounslow, TFL and the GLA have put into these discussions in order for the Club to take this very important step towards a sustainable future in a new stadium that has significant benefits for Brentford, Hounslow more generally and West London.

Commenting on the issuing of the planning permission, the Chairman of Brentford FC, Cliff Crown said: “Signing the S106 Agreement is another significant step towards our goal of playing in a new community stadium.

“I’d like to thank all parties involved in finalising the document including Hounslow Council, the Brentford FC Community Sports Trust and our project team. Prior to commencing construction, further work is required including the completion of the Development Agreement with our preferred development partner.

“We remain focused on working with local residents, community groups and local businesses as the development proceeds.”

Leader of Hounslow Council, Councillor Steve Curran said: “This agreement seals a great deal for The Bees, Brentford and the whole borough. It’s another sign that Hounslow is fast becoming a place of real opportunity in London.”

Nick Boles, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Planning, has confirmed the decision of Hounslow Council Planning Committee and the Greater London Authority (GLA) to grant planning permission for Brentford Football Club’s new stadium planning application.

The Club can proceed to develop a 20,000 capacity stadium at Lionel Road South together with other community facilities, and 910 new homes, a hotel and supporting retail uses subject to the conclusion of a Section 106 Agreement.

The application was referred to the Secretary of State’s office after English Heritage objected to the application due to their perceived impact of the proposals on nearby heritage assets.

After carefully reviewing the information provided to him by his case officers, the GLA, Hounslow Council as well as various representations sent to him by supporters and opponents of the scheme, the Planning Minister confirmed the decision.

The Minister saw the wide ranging benefits these proposals would bring to Hounslow and London including 910 new homes on a brownfield site.

This major development will transform an unsightly, industrial, brownfield site to provide a community stadium together with new homes, public transport improvements and enhancements to the public realm.

The development will bring a great deal of new business and job and training opportunities for local people.

Commenting on the Planning Minister’s decision, Cliff Crown, Brentford FC Chairman, said: “Nick Boles’ confirmation of the decision of the GLA and Hounslow Council is great news.

“Our vision of an exciting new hub at this brownfield site has taken another major step forward.

“We would like to express appreciation to the Minister and his case officers for their support and recognising the significant benefits this development will bring.

“We firmly believe this is a once in a generation chance to create a vibrant new stadium that will add to the buzz that is going on around Brentford.

“As we said this week at the annual international property event MIPIM, Brentford is on the up as a destination, with new homes, retail, sports and leisure facilities which bring new jobs and vibrancy to the area.

“As a result of the decisions made by local, regional and national public bodies, Brentford Football Club will be returning close to where it was founded in 1889.

“We are proud of our history at Griffin Park, where we have always been a good neighbour.

“In planning for our new home, we look forward to building on our positive relationship with local residents and businesses and also our new neighbours in Chiswick and Kew.

“By working together we believe we can make the most of the new opportunities for the benefit of everyone.

“Although there is still work to be done, we are delighted to have received the support from the Minister and his Department and are looking forward to moving the project forward”.

Sir Edward Lister, the Chief of Staff and Deputy Mayor, Policy and Planning on behalf of the Mayor of London confirmed today (Tuesday February 18 2014) the decision of Hounslow Council Planning Committee to grant planning permission for Brentford Football Club’s planning application for a new stadium an association development at Lionel Road South.

The Club can proceed to develop a 20,000 capacity stadium at Lionel Road South together with other community facilities, and 910 new homes, a hotel and supporting retail uses subject to referral to the Secretary of State and subject to the conclusion of a Section 106 Agreement.

The Deputy Mayor carefully reviewed the information provided to him by the Greater London Authority Officers, Hounslow Council and various representations sent to him by supporters and opponents of the scheme.

He assessed the potential impact of the proposals on transport and the views from nearby heritage assets, alongside other issues.

Importantly the Deputy Mayor recognised the wide ranging benefits these proposals would bring to Hounslow and London.

This major development will transform an unsightly, industrial, brownfield site to provide acommunity stadium together with new homes, public transport improvements and enhancements to the public realm.

The development will bring a great deal of new business and job and training opportunities for local people.

Commenting on the Deputy Mayor’s decision, Cliff Crown, Brentford FC Chairman, said: “Sir Edward Lister’s decision is great news.

“Our vision of an exciting new hub at this brownfield site has taken another major step forward.

“We would like to express appreciation to the Deputy Mayor and the GLA Officers for their support of our plans.

“We firmly believe this is a once in a generation chance to create a vibrant new stadium that will add to the buzz that is going on around Brentford.

“Brentford is on the up as a destination, with new homes, retail, sports and leisure facilities which bring new jobs and vibrancy to the area.

“Brentford Football Club will be returning close to where it was founded in 1889.

“We are proud of our history at Griffin Park, where we have always been a good neighbour.

“In planning for our new home, we look forward to building a positive relationship with local residents and businesses and our new neighbours in Chiswick and Kew.

“By working together we believe we can make the most of the new opportunities for the benefit of everyone.

“We are aware the Secretary of State can still call this matter in and review it.

“We sincerely hope he will feel confident in the extensive work done by Hounslow and the GLA and decide he has no need to do this.”