Arsenal to forge ahead with stadium plan

Arsenal have welcomed a Court of Appeal decision in favour of their multi-million pound plans for a new stadium, following a legal challenge by two local residents.

The residents had contested a decision by the High Court, which upheld the validity of the planning and listed building consents for Arsenal’s proposed new development at Ashburton Grove.

The Court of Appeal dismissed their application after an oral hearing yesterday and the club believe that significant progress has been made.

Arsenal director Ken Friar said in a club statement: “We are pleased that this prolonged process of legal challenge has now come to an end.

“We were always confident that, as the planning application had been prepared very thoroughly and that the environmental statement was very comprehensive, the courts would find in our favour.

“It gives us great satisfaction that the matter has now been brought to a close.”