League One side AFC Wimbledon's plans to build a football stadium in Plough Lane "may be facing one final challenge as a decision is made on whether to list the current Wimbledon Stadium just months before it is due to be demolished," according to Pippa Allen-Kinross of the WANDSWORTH GUARDIAN. Historic England confirmed it will revisit the stadium to assess the "architectural interest of the building" after an initial request for listing was refused in early '16. However, AFC Wimbledon CEO Erik Samuelson said that he would be "very surprised" if the listing was granted. The reason behind this "sudden turn in events lies with the Save Wimbledon Stadium Action Group," which has been "campaigning to retain the current stadium with its greyhound and stock car racing," and prevent AFC Wimbledon building its new 20,000-seat stadium in Plough Lane. The new facility, which will begin as an 11,000-seat stadium before being expanded, "will also be joined by 602 flats and a range of shops and amenities." Work on demolishing the current stadium is "due to begin in April, with plans in place to complete the demolition and site preparation by the end of the year so that building work can begin" at the start of '18. A listed building "can still be demolished with relevant consent from the local authority: in this case, Merton Council" (WANDSWORTH GUARDIAN, 1/9).
