Campaigners to challenge refusal to register footpaths over training ground

Campaigners have said they will seek a judicial review after a west London council refused to register two footpaths across land earmarked for Queen’s Park Rangers FC’s new training ground.

The London Borough of Ealing concluded that there had not been public access to the land at Warren Farm previously as it was an enclosed sports ground available only for organised events.

The case was previously in court in 2014 when Ealing successfully defended a High Court challenge to it granting QPR planning permission to redevelop Warren Farm for its training academy.

Ealing said QPR’s £20m redevelopment of Warren Farm would see a community sports complex provided alongside the training facility.

Its regulatory committee heard evidence from officers that there had not been routine public access to Warren Farm and that therefore no public right of way could exist since the ground was closed when not in use.

Campaigners dispute this saying that only an easily opened gate blocked access.

An Ealing spokesperson said: “Any appeal to the Planning Inspectorate against this decision will be defended.

“It is disappointing that an application for a judicial review against the council's earlier decision to grant planning permission is being considered.

“If it goes ahead we will continue to defend our position. The council has kept its roles as a landowner and as the planning and registration authority separate throughout the process, and the planning committee's decision was sound and based on proper planning conditions.”

QPR’s chief operating officer Mark Donnelly said: “This is another important step forward for the new facility at Warren Farm and we are pleased with the council’s decision.

“The majority of local residents remain supportive of the club’s plans and we are delighted with the decision which brings the club one step closer to achieving its aspiration of delivering a new centre for the club and community sport.”

Mark Smulian