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Locals in a quaint town have been left furious at renowned Wasps Rugby Football Club for announcing plans to build a new 28,000-seater stadium.
The club announced on Wednesday it had bought a 10-year-option on land ‘in the South East near London‘.
But it did not disclose exactly where it was. It is presumed to be in the Kent town of Swanley.
The club began in London before having homes in both High Wycombe and Coventry but the famous side – whose ranks have previously boasted the likes of Lawrence Dallaglio, Rob Andrew, Kenny Logan and Danny Cipriani – went into administration two years ago with debts of £95m.
It comes as the club submitted plans to join the second tier of a new-look English pyramid set to launch next season.
Two proposed locations for the site are believed to be Pedham Place Golf Centre and Petham Court farm in the town.
It remains unclear which site the option relates to.
The club had proposed both sites to Sevenoaks District Council to be included in its upcoming Local Plan review as suitable for a 28,000-seat stadium.
Wasps Rugby Football Club for announcing plans to build a new 28,000 seater stadium. Pictured: Wasps signage at the Coventry Building Society Arena
Steve Beckley, a local resident in nearby Farningham, (pictured) said his ‘highest concern’ was that the ‘cost of his house would go down’
Robert Woodyard (pictured) claimed opposition to the plans was ‘futile’ as ‘developers get what they want’
Locals said documentation they had previously seen also meant a stadium could only go ahead at one location if an extra 2,500 houses were built.
Michael Parker, 76, has lived in the nearby village of Farningham for 50 years and described the plans as a ‘disgrace’.
The retired engineer said: ‘The plans are a shambles. Why on earth would they want to build something like that out here?
‘It is appalling. It makes no sense.
‘They have never really had any links here.’
Another local, who lives near the golf centre, added: ‘It’s a recipe for total disaster. I am strongly opposed to it.
‘What are the advantages? Other than loads of traffic and house prices going down.’
Steve Beckley, a local resident in nearby Farningham, said his ‘highest concern’ was that the ‘cost of his house would go down’.
Mr Beckley also said traffic was a concern.
The banker said: ‘The traffic is already horrendous now… you can only imagine what it will be like [with 2,500 more homes]’
Sam Fitzsimons (pictured) was supportive of the proposal and said: ‘Anything that anyone tries to build or improve anywhere people just kick back against it. ‘There’s nothing around here in terms of sport for me’
Two proposed locations for the site are believed to be Pedham Place Golf Centre (pictured) and Petham Court farm in the town
The club announced on Wednesday it had bought a 10-year-option on land ‘in the South East near London ‘. Pictured: Wasps playing Northampton Saints in Coventry in 2019
Concerns about the lack of infrastructure to support the new houses were echoed by other residents of Farningham.
Su Hewitt, the campaign leader for No Pedham New Town, said: ‘This announcement has come as both a surprise and a shock.
‘Everyone thought they [Wasps] had gone away. We didn’t expect the stadium plan to rear its ugly head again.
‘A previous document in the preparation of the draft Sevenoaks Local Plan 2040 suggested that the stadium could only be allowed at Pedham Place if there were also at least 2,500 houses, and that seems increasingly unlikely with the new government regulations protecting AONBs (now named National Landscapes).
‘We understand the stadium on its own can’t be built – and the housing seems less likely than before.
‘If the stadium were built here, it would be a disaster for our local roads.
‘The other day, it took a friend five hours to get from Rochester to Hexatable, a distance of just 18 miles, with the traffic congestion as it is.’
David Ward said that though he had ‘no objections’ to the development, ‘they’ve got to put in the infrastructure’
The club had proposed both sites to Sevenoaks District Council (pictured) to be included in its upcoming Local Plan review as suitable for a 28,000-seat stadium
David Ward said that though he had ‘no objections’ to the development, ‘they’ve got to put in the infrastructure’.
Residents also expressed anger at the Sevenoaks District Council for the announcement.
Others were also critical of the council’s approach.
Another local, Robert Woodyard, claimed the opposition was ‘futile’ as ‘developers get what they want’.
But rugby fan, Sam Fitzsimons, was supportive of the proposal.
He said: ‘Anything that anyone tries to build or improve anywhere people just kick back against it.
‘There’s nothing around here in terms of sport for me’
If the Wasp’s stadium was built, Fitzsimons said he ‘would buy a season ticket’.
Wasps Rugby Football Club has been contacted for comment.
A Council spokesman said: ‘As part of our new Local Plan, which will set out in broad terms what can be built and where between 2025 and 2040, Wasps has promoted a new stadium on the outskirts of Swanley in Kent.
‘There will be opportunities for the public to have their say on Wasps’ proposals before our new Local Plan is finalised, and we intend to consult again in 2025 once the Government has published the new National Planning Policy Framework.
‘Further down the line, the Wasps’ proposals would require planning consent, which again would give the public an opportunity to have their say and actively engage in the process.’