West Ham United are delighted to confirm that planning permission has been submitted for a new training ground at Rush Green.
The club presented the proposals for the former Ford Sports and Social Club facility to Havering Council on Monday morning. The 29-acre site was purchased in the summer and promises to mark a major milestone in the club's history. Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke have already visited the site and will bring their considerable playing and coaching experience to the project.
There will also remain a strong West Ham United presence at the existing training ground at Chadwell Heath with the youth-team set-up under the guidance of Academy Director Tony Carr set to benefit. Further development is planned to create a proper base for the Academy of Football in keeping with the traditions of a location that has been producing homegrown Hammers since the days of Bobby Moore.
Of the Rush Green project, West Ham United CEO Scott Duxbury said: "This is a major step forward for the club as a new training ground with world-class facilities is fundamental to our vision for the next few years. Such a development can only aid Gianfranco, his staff and players in their bid to help the club achieve success.
"Chadwell Heath has been a fantastic home for many generations but I have been aware in recent years that it is no longer fit for our first-team aspirations. We have worked very hard to put this planning proposal together and I would like to add my thanks to Havering Council for their cooperation to date and in the future."
Development of the Rush Green site would be carried out in two phases. The first phase would be to renovate the existing Sports Club, construct new groundsman's buildings and install three full-size training pitches. When complete this would allow the first-team squad and staff to move straight in and begin work.
A final decision should be made early in the New Year. The club would like to thank Havering Council for their input up to this stage following an extensive consultation. The planning application has taken into full consideration their views and thoughts on the proposed development.
The second phase would be to construct a purpose built state of the art training, rehabilitation and media centre on the site that would ultimately replace the temporary refurbished existing Sports Club building, together with a further four training pitches and the renovation of the existing stand and terracing around one of the pitches.
There is an intention for the club to play the majority of home reserve-team games there in future years. This second phase is also subject to planning permission being granted and the club will continue to build on their good relationship with Havering in preparation of the phase two application.
West Ham United are delighted to be working within the borough and will increase the club's community involvement even further. A key aim will be to develop new partnerships with significant benefits to residents and businesses in the area.
The new training ground will follow on the heels of a recent overhaul of the club's medical and technical departments with significant investment in expertise and equipment. As well as the work to come at Chadwell Heath, there will also be continued development of the other club sites at Beckton and Little Heath.