Crystal Palace step up Selhurst Park redevelopment as house demolitions begin | OneFootball

More than eight years after planning consent was first secured to redevelop Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace have begun their most substantial preparatory works.

According to NY Times, demolition has begun on six houses in Wooderson Close, with residents relocated elsewhere in Croydon.

Hoardings now line the car park beside Sainsbury’s for a temporary hospitality building as Main Stand facilities are cleared. Club offices have moved to the Whitehorse Lane end, formerly the Crystals nightclub.

The work remains preliminary. The S106 is signed, an adjacent land deal with Sainsbury’s is agreed, and phasing will spread Community Infrastructure Levy costs after minor design changes were approved in March.

Construction is planned over two and a half years in five stages. The current phase, due to finish by August 2026, removes houses, the fanzone and hospitality, and clears temporary buildings, with no above ground work on the Main Stand or Holmesdale.

Phase two, from September 2026 to September 2027, is anticipated to see the structure rise with cladding and glazing. Phases three to five run to January 2029 to complete interiors and remove the existing Main Stand terrace and roof, with Holmesdale works also finished.

Overall costs have surpassed £200m. CIL payments are staggered at £940,000, then £1.33m and £1.82m.

Capacity will increase to 34,259 from 25,486, and the Main Stand will remain open throughout. Other changes include accessible seating, a lengthened pitch and a new corner between the Holmesdale and Arthur Wait.

Source: NY Times