Council survey backs our Club!

Local residents have spoken loud and clear to give Southwark Council the message that they want a future for Dulwich Hamlet on Greendale

Following recent 'consultation' by the London Borough of Southwark, with regard to the future of Greendale playing fields, which ignored any possible re-locating of Dulwich Hamlet Football Club on the site of our home, prior to the old Champion Hill grounds, Hamlet fans & local residents have told the Council in no uncertain terms how vital it is for our Club to be part of the future of Greendale. A whole page was given over to this in yesterdays weekly edition of the 'Southwark News':

HAMLET GAIN EARLY WIN IN PLANS TO CREATE NEW PARK

LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WANT CLUB INCLUDED IN GREEN DALE PLANS

Dulwich Hamlet FC supporters have had their voices heard over the council's plans to redevelop Green Dale Fields.
A public consultation on Southwark's proposals to turn the green space into a new public park has been dominated by supporters of the historic club, which could be affected by the plans.
A smaller stadium is needed for the struggling community club to survive after debts of £180,000 nearly sent them under before they were bought out by the Hadley Group earlier this year.
Owners Hadley proposed new smaller grounds for the club to be built on the astroturf site on Green Dale Fields, behind where the current stadium stands. They would then use the stadium land for possible housing developments.
The council, who own Green Dale Fields, and lease the Astroturf site to Hadley, released plans earlier this year to transform the land into a public park and suggested the new grounds for the club to be built on the site of the old stadium instead.
The council's own report detailing the public responses to their consultation in October stated: "A large number of respondents stated that they did not like the design because it does not include DHFC stadium," with 34 per cent of those asked saying they did not support the plans for this reason.
When asked why the design was disliked, 40 per cent said it was because the plans did not include DHFC.
A further 30 per cent of respondents left additional comments saying the council should work with the club on the plans or that they should be included in the designs.
"We're very happy that the results have come out and it's clear that the community and the supporters have spoken," said Duncan Hart of the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters' Trust. "The council will have to go back to the drawing board now to deliver plans which are best for the community, including the club and our supporters, who are an integral part of that community."
Dulwich Hamlet Supporters' Trust Chairman, Darren McCreery added: "At this stage it would be incredibly premature to discount the option of building a new stadium on part of Greendale-particularly if this would secure a long term home for the Hamlet and ensure that we are no having discussions about whether we can continue to play football in the area in another twenty years' time."
Cllr Barrie Hargrove, Southwark's cabinet member for public health, parks and leisure said: "It has been important to get the plans for the Greendale site right for our residents to bring this green space back into use, and we want to thank those who took the time to feedback to us. Residents have told us they are very excited about our plans to create a new park in the area. We will now be considering the results from our consultations, and at the same time are continuing to work with Hadley Homes and Dulwich Hamlet on securing the future of the football club."
Hadley Property Group are holding a second consultation on their plans for the ground today [Thursday] (3pm to 8pm) and Saturday November 29 [Saturday] (10am to 3pm) at the club.