Campaigners remain hopeful after latest reports

Campaigners have welcomed reports that QPR may pull out of the Warren Farm training centre deal.

Ealing Council originally gave the football club permission to build on the land in April 2013 but the decision proved controversial with claims that they had 'gifted' publicly-owned land worth an estimated £31.5M to a commercial organisation for 200 years, rent free.

The case has been taken to the High Court by a number of community groups but they failed to secure a Judicial Review. It appeared as though their fight was lost and QPR would progress with their new training ground.

However, QPR chairman, Tony Fernades, has now apparently grown frustrated with the delays and told reporters that he may upgrade the club’s current training ground in Harlington rather than proceed with his plans to build at Warren Farm.

He has recently been quoted as saying:

'' We’re going to have a board meeting in a few months to decide, but if I was a betting man I’d say we’d be here at Harlington. It’s only a few complaining - but it doesn’t take many to stop the process.''

The club has to carry out an archaelogical plan at Warren Farm because the area is of historical interest. Meanwhile residents are also hoping to get the area designated under the localism act as one of the ' Assets of Community Value’. If it were to be successful, the community would have the right to bid for Warren Farm.

The Save Warren Farm Campaign and Hanwell Community Forum have welcomed the latest twist from QPR and say they are ''committed to working with Ealing Council to identify grants and funding to build a 21st century sports pavilion, with associated management plan (along the lines of The Hub in Regents Park; http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/the-regents-park/sport-in-the-park-the-hub) to service the full 61 acres, across a broad range of outdoor sports and leisure activities, on behalf of the community.''

QPR have said they won't be issuing any further comment.

An Ealing Counci spokeswoman said:

'' Ealing Council is keen to see what will be a great facility for both QPR and our residents and is continuing to work with the club now that the judicial review has been resolved and planning permission is in place."

22nd July 2014