Brentford FC is to host public drop-in evenings next week as preparations are underway to submit a new planning application for our training ground.

An application for planning permission to install buildings on the western part of the club’s training ground site in Osterley is being prepared. These will be used to provide facilities enabling the club to operate an academy that meets Premier League requirements by the start of the 2024/25 season.

The club is set to sign a 50-year lease for the land in Osterley, which has been Brentford’s training base for almost 20 years.

If approved, there will be new buildings installed in the coming months so the club can operate an academy for talented young players. New pitches will also form part of the development.

There is currently a temporary planning permission for a performance centre, named after former technical director Robert Rowan, on the eastern part of the site.

The long-term intention will be for permanent buildings to host all Brentford FC teams but there is an immediate need to meet the Premier League requirement to have at least a category three academy by the start of next season.

There are four categories of academy: category one to three academies register players from the under-9 age group through to professionals, whereas the category four model focuses on player developing later, operating from the under-17 age group upwards. Category one is the highest status of academy. 

Cliff Crown, Brentford FC chair, said: “The development of our training ground has been a key part of our planning and strategy for the past few years. The Robert Rowan Performance Centre is a great building that has improved the facilities we can offer to players and football staff. 

“We are a club that wants to develop young players and give them opportunities and having a top academy is part of that plan.

“Premier League rules mean we need to be at a certain level by the start of next season and this application will enable us to do that, but we have a commitment to explore youth development opportunities. This is a long-term project for us to bring our own players through. 

“Now we have a long-term lease agreed for the site we can commit to planning our future both for our professionals and the young people we hope will be Brentford players in the coming years.” 

There will be two public drop-in evenings at the training ground next week.

Residents and interested parties can see the plans on Wednesday 15 November (5-8pm) and Thursday 16 November (4-7pm).

More details can be found at bfcperformancecentre.co.uk