So many petitioners, so many Labour politicians even, against Lewisham Council’s decision to push ahead with its controversial development scheme around the Den – and yet the Labour authority still went ahead regardless.
Their development partner Renewal is calling the scheme New Bermondsey, which is an insult really to all that Millwall FC and those who love it stand for. As if the old Bermondsey it represents needs to be whitewashed from history.
It’s odd that the club’s top people didn’t attend the council meeting – seemingly leaving it instead to campaigners. Perhaps their attendance would have helped to convince councillors of just how committed the club was to being part of any scheme, which is surely beyond question. At the very least, it would have sent out the right message to Lions fans – more than a few of whom contacted us to ask why no club representative attended on the night, other than Fan on the Board Peter Garston.
Happily, this isn’t the last chance for Millwall and all those concerned to have their say, as there will now follow a public inquiry. Only after a report is then drawn up will a final decision be made for the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
The fight isn’t over, not by a long shot.