Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish insists that the Eagles intend to commence work as soon as practically possible on plans to develop the club's academy site.
That follows a decision from Bromley Council's planning committee, after councillors resolved to grant planning permission for the plans to develop Crystal Palace's academy into a category 1 site, subject to completion of the section 106 agreement and Greater London Authority referral.
Palace say that developing the site will allow the club to inspire a new generation of local talent, with improved playing, training and education facilities to more than 220 young players on a single site.
The club secured a long-term lease for the site on Copers Cope Road in Beckenham in December 2018, with the Eagles hoping to secure Category 1 Academy status by the beginning of the 2020/21 season.
In addition to providing training and educational facilities, the site will be available for community use through Palace for Life Foundation.
And Parish is hopeful that work will start soon, subject to completion of the section 106 agreement and GLA referral.
“I am delighted that the Bromley Council planning committee has supported our very exciting plans to develop the academy site," he said.
"It’s a fantastic scheme and it will create an elite facility and have a transformational impact both in terms of footballing education and personal development for the 200 plus boys that are in our care at any one time.
“I would like to thank all the staff and partners that have worked so hard with us to achieve this outcome. We intend to commence work as soon as practically possible.”
