Residents in close proximity to AFC Wimbledon's new stadium have outlined the issues they are facing since moving into the recently developed flats.
The idea of living just a stones throw away from the club you have followed for most of your life appeals to many, as they look to avoid lengthy journeys travelling to and from the matches and any costs they may incur whilst doing so.
A dream that eventually became a reality for lifelong Wimbledon fans David Kenwery and Liam Nolan, who purchased a two bedroom flat built within the grounds of the Cherry Red Records Stadium on Plough Lane when it was built in 2020. Despite neither of the two living anywhere near the ground itself
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Speaking to The Sun regarding how they felt on the flat, which they both regularly travel to in-order to watch the League Two side in action, 60-year-old David highlighted the benefits of the property. He said: “For a football fan, homes built into a ground is about as good as it gets.
“How could I resist having a home next to the ground for match days?”
However, owning a flat in the vicinity of a football stadium also comes with inevitable negative externalities, as other homeowners in the complex have experienced.
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One young couple, who prefer to remain anonymous, moved into a three-bedroom flat when the property was first released but are now experiencing severe problems due to its location on match-days.
The woman, 27, said: “Moving here allowed us to buy our first home so we were happy and grateful for that.
“But they doubled the ground rent after we moved in, from £350 to £700, which was not what we were expecting.
“We complained and it has now come down to about £500. But that’s still the same amount that some people will spend on their entire mortgage!”
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The woman's partner, also in his 20's, went on to add: “We can see the pitch from our window but – let’s be honest – they’re not the best football team.
“Another issue is that they’re demanding £25,000 to buy a parking space in the flats, which is completely unaffordable.
“And it seems that no-one here wants to pay that as the car park is always empty. It’s ridiculous.”
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Other strange issues other residents have encountered include regular traffic jams, supporters using their gardens as toilets and the residents being banned from hanging their washing outside given its view of the stadium.
Topics: AFC Wimbledon, League Two, Football
Patrick Rowe