QPR granted planning permission for new training ground in Heston
Artist's impression of the new training centre in Heston
Written by Training Ground Guru — April 1, 2021
QPR have been granted planning permission for a new training ground in Heston that will house their first team, Under-23s and Academy.
QPR Holdings Ltd completed the freehold acquisition of the 27-acre Concorde Centre site in December 2020 and CEO Lee Hoos said: “This is fantastic news for the club and is a decision which impacts the club’s short, medium and long-term future.
“Planning permission remains subject to a referral to the Secretary of State but this is a massive step forward in our vision to provide the club with a training facility we can all be proud of.”
Perhaps with some understatement, he added: “We understand fans are fed up of hearing about a new training ground as it’s a topic that has been going on for many years.”
Nine years ago, the club identified Warren Farm in Hanwell as their preferred site for a new training ground and planned to move in at the start of 2013/14. However, the 60-acre project was beset by legal challenges from local residents and last May the club abandoned plans to move there.
Two years earlier, the Court of Appeal had found in favour of Ealing Council’s decision to grant planning permission to QPR for redevelopment of the site, only for the Hanwell Nature Group to subsequently be granted permission to seek another judicial review.
After that, the club switched their sights to the 27-acre Concorde Centre site in Heston, which is currently home to the club’s Academy. Contracts were exchanged with owners Imperial College last July and the freehold of the site was acquired by the Championship club in December.
The site is more than double the size of QPR’s current Harlington base, which is also owned by Imperial College, and has been regarded as unfit for purpose for some time.
“This news is significant,” Hoos said after the planning permission was announced. “I would also like to acknowledge the continued and unwavering support of the owners towards this critical project.”
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