Plough Lane move suffers setback but AFC Wimbledon remain confident of returning to spiritual home

Setback: Plough Lane decision expected later this year

Galliard Homes

Giuseppe Muro23 March 2016

AFC Wimbledon remain confident they will move back to Plough Lane despite suffering a setback to their hopes of returning to their spiritual home.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson and the Greater London Authority have asked for a further review of their plans to build a new stadium in Merton. That process is unlikely to begin until after the Mayoral election in May.

A decision is expected later this year.

Wimbledon were hoping to push ahead with plans for an 11,000-capacity stadium after being granted planning permission by Merton Council last year. The League Two club understand the GLA made the decision to review their plans because “the development is seen as being of strategic importance to the area”.

Wimbledon chief executive Erik Samuelson remains optimistic the Dons will move to Plough Lane in time for the start of the 2018-19 season.

He said: “It is a decision to review the plans, it is not a decision to say no.”

The plans to redevelop the site of Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium also include 602 homes.