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The Future of Champion Hill The decision is the successful culmination of a three year campaign launched by DHST. Eddie Muraszko, spokesperson for DHST, said: "One of the primary aims of the Trust is to secure the future of the club in East Dulwich . The club's lease on Champion Hill is due to expire in 2011 and there is no guarantee that the club will be able to reach an agreement with Kings College London, the owners of the site, to renew. Without the designation, there was the possibility that the land may be sold for housing or commercial development, leaving the club homeless, without its main revenue stream, and cut off from the community it serves. We have worked hard with Southwark Council and other local stakeholders to obtain secure this first ever designation of the ground. The land designation may be seen in the future as a turning point in the club's fortunes. I'd like to thank the Council, all our members who together helped strengthen our hand to achieve our objectives, and particularly those individuals who have worked hard to make this land designation happen." 1. Dulwich Hamlet Supporters' Trust (DHST) was formed in 2003 as an independent voice for supporters of Dulwich Hamlet Football Club. It is a not-for-personal-profit, democratic and community-based organisation dedicated to strengthening the bonds between the football club and the community it serves. 2. In 2003 DHST launched a consultation exercise on the future of the Champion Hill ground. This was followed by a final report in 2004 which was endorsed by local MP and the then Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Tessa Jowell. 3. The Southwark Plan was adopted by Southwark Council on July 27th 2007 . In it 'Dulwich Hamlet' sports stadium is designated as Other Open Space. Development will only be permitted under certain conditions notably that 'Land of equivalent or better size and quality is secured within the local catchment area for similar or enhanced use before development commences'. The guidance also states that a local catchment area is 'generally considered to be within a 400m radius'. |
Resources: Champion Hill - A Community Stadium for All |