Charlton Athletic Supporters’ Trust regain ACV status for The Valley
The status lasts for five years and means a community group must be notified by the local authority of a planned sale – they also have the right to make a bid.
The Valley was awarded ACV status in 2013 when CAST petitioned 1,905 Charlton fans. That expired in November and a new application – supported by the club – was submitted.
Trust chairman Richard Wiseman said: “Although ACV status might be viewed as largely symbolic, it is nevertheless very important because it recognises the role of our historic ground and club in the community and offers some limited protection against worst case scenarios of asset stripping.
“I would like to thank the club, the Royal Borough of Greenwich and CAST volunteers who worked on this successful application.
“There is scope for strengthening the legislation to offer even more protection for historic football grounds, and we will continue to argue for this”
Clive Efford, MP for Eltham, said: “I am pleased to hear about the Charlton Athletic Supporters’ Trust’s successful bid to renew the ACV status of The Valley.
Too often we have seen predatory developers attempting to make money out of our sports stadia. It is important that we do all we can to reduce the risk of this happening.
By renewing the Valley’s ACV status, CAST would be alerted to any attempt to sell the stadium and could work to put a bid together to stop this happening.”
Matthew Pennycook, MP for Greenwich, said: “I’m delighted that the council has re-listed The Valley as an ACV.
The ground and the club are an integral part of the local community and this decision reaffirms the right of the fans to be part of any discussion about their future.”
