The Emirates stadium North London Home to the greatest football team the world has ever seen ;) The move to Ashburton Grove was opposed by members of the Arsenal Independent Supporters Association (AISA), who were concerned about environmental issues.[21] The Islington Stadium Communities Alliance – an alliance of 16 groups representing local residents and businesses was set up in January 2000 to promote awareness against the redevelopment.[24] Alison Carmichael, a spokeswoman for the group said of the move: It may look like Arsenal are doing great things for the area, but in its detail the plan is awful. We blame the council; the football club just wants to expand to make more money.[25] Seven months after the planning application was submitted in June 2001, a poll showed that 75% of respondents were against the scheme, with 2,133 residents objecting and 712 in support.[25] By October 2001, the club asserted that a poll of Islington residents found that 70% were in favour.[26] To push for more local support, the club planted the slogan Let Arsenal support Islington around Highbury during matches against Aston Villa and Juventus in December 2001.[27][28] It also featured as a backdrop for manager Arsène Wengers press conference in the lead up to Christmas.[29] Islington Council approved Arsenals plans on 10 December 2001, as 34 councillors voted in favour of the Ashburton Grove development with seven against and one abstention.[30] 31 voted for the transfer of a waste recycling plant in Lough Road and eight against.[30] The final vote was ratified by Mayor of London Ken Livingstone and Transport Secretary Stephen Byers.[31] Arsenal was given the all clear to start work in July 2002 after a High Court judge rejected a challenge by local residents and ISCA.[32] The club succeeded in a further legal challenge by small firms in January 2005 as the High Court upheld a decision by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to grant a compulsory purchase order in support of the scheme.[33] The stadium became a major issue in the local elections in May 2006. The Metropolitan Police demanded that supporters coaches be parked in the nearby Sobel Sports Centre rather than in the underground car park, and restrictions on access to 14 streets be imposed on match days. The health and safety certificate would not be issued unless the stadium meets such conditions, without which the stadium could not open. The road closures were passed at a council meeting, but kept under review.[34] i guess, what i am trying to highlight here is that at least there was a poll!
Posted on: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 19:27:38 +0000
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