QPR plan to move from Loftus Road to Harlesden

QPR will relocate to Old Oak in Harlesden (Image: Archant)

The championship league club will build a 40,000 seater stadium in the Old Oak area as part of a major regeneration project.

The news follows London Mayor Boris Johnson’s announcement that turning Old Oak into a new world-class city quarter is to be one of his main regeneration priorities, and that a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) is to be set up to promote it.

The stadium will be located in the heart of the regeneration area, and aims to be the catalyst that will create a residential and commercial area covering several hundreds of acres.

The project which is be larger than Canary Wharf will generate 50,000 jobs and 24,000 homes.

Tony Fernandes, chairman of QPR, said: to “Loftus Road is – and always will be – a special place for the club and our supporters, but we need more than an 18,000 capacity.

“With no option of expanding here, we have to look elsewhere and we welcome the Mayor’s and Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s commitment to regenerate the area, which includes an option to develop a new stadium at Old Oak as a key catalyst to bring forward redevelopment, cementing our future in this part of West London.

“Not only will this give us a top quality stadium to cater for QPR’s needs as the club progresses and grows over the years ahead, but we are very excited about being the driving force behind creating one of the best new urban places in the world.

“It will create a vibrant new destination in London, boosting local businesses, attracting new visitors and tourism and creating a thriving community.”