Croydon Council mayor Jason Perry has welcomed the sale of six homes as Crystal Palace steps up their efforts to redevelop Selhurst Park.
The redevelopment plans will see Palace transform the Main Stand, which was originally built over 100 years ago in 1924. The proposals are getting closer to reality following the news that Palace have purchased six homes next to the stadium.
The residents have been rehoused, and the properties on Wooderson Close can now be demolished to pave the way for construction work.
As per BBC News, Perry has said that the funds raised from the property sales will fund replacement council houses. The Croydon Council mayor also recognised the importance of delivering a stadium that the Palace faithful can be proud of.
“This has been the result of sustained work behind the scenes by the council working with the club,” Perry said. “As a lifelong Palace supporter, I know how much Selhurst Park means to fans.”
Palace provide latest update on redevelopment project
Meanwhile, the club has explained how the recently purchased land will be utilised once the properties are demolished and how work has progressed at the Holmsdale end.
“A proportion of this newly acquired land will be overbuilt for the south eastern corner of the new stand, with the additional space initially being used towards the formation of a major construction zone, providing safe routes in and out for additional traffic and workers, and minimising disruption to supporters' matchday experiences where possible,” the club said in their latest update.
“Then finalised the land will also form part of the access road and walkway onto the Stadium estate.
“A number of other behind-the-scenes enabling works – including the construction of new changing rooms beneath the Holmesdale end, to house match officials and away teams, as well as the relocation of cables and various other pieces of infrastructure – have also progressed well.
“This will enable the portacabins by the Holmesdale entrance to be removed so that area can also be overbuilt.”
Palace will provide a further update on the redevelopment work in “due course”.
FGG says: Exciting times for Palace supporters
Palace fans may still be reeling from their recent FA Cup exit at the hands of sixth-tier Macclesfield, but there is still plenty to be excited about despite their recent downturn in form.
On the pitch, Oliver Glasner's side will compete in the Conference League knockout rounds, with a chance to win the club's first-ever European trophy. Meanwhile, off the pitch, there is finally real progress in the stadium redevelopment project, which has been a long time coming after plans were initially unveiled in 2017.