The ongoing dispute over the future of the land surrounding Millwall Football Club’s ground will continue after Lewisham Council’s business panel ‘called in’ the decision to approve a compulsory purchase order (CPO).

Councillors voted 6-1 to approve the CPO in order to regenerate the area in New Bermondsey, which used to be known as Surrey Canal, however that decision will now need to be reconsidered.

The CPO would strip Millwall of the land and hand it over to Renewal who intend to build houses, a new overground station and community facilities.

However the plans have faced backlash from the club, and the wider football community, saying the plans threaten the team’s survival.

Business Panel chair Councillor Alan Hall said the reasons for the call in were that “Renewal have no track record in regeneration schemes, the viability of the scheme is uncertain, the deliverability of the scheme is questionable, and the reputational risk to Lewisham Council is significant.”

Cllr Hall told News Shopper: "We believe that there is insufficient grounds for a compelling case in the public interest to confirm a compulsory purchase order around New Bermondsey or the Den.

“Having heard that there is zero social housing on the site and witnessed a lack of transparency we ask that the cabinet reconsider their position."

Earlier this year Millwall chairman John Berylson wrote an open letter to the club which was posted online.

In his letter Mr Berylson said the council’s actions will decide the future of the club and the Millwall Community Trust.

He wrote: “While we continue to fight every week to return to the Championship, off the pitch we face a challenge which threatens the club’s very survival.”

The campaign has received widespread support from the footballing world, with former England player Lineker tweeting: “Defending the Den is vital for the football club and local community.”

A Lewisham council spokesman said: "The Overview and Scrutiny Business Panel have referred the matter back to Mayor & Cabinet for reconsideration.

"The Business Panel's reasons for doing this will be reported to and considered by Mayor & Cabinet in due course and a final decision will then be taken."

Jordana Malik, Director at Renewal said: "We respect the decision made by the Overview and Scrutiny Business Panel and we recognise this is part of the on-going CPO process.  

"All issues raised by the committee have been comprehensively addressed in the report for the Mayor and Cabinet meeting on 7th September. 

"The Mayor and Cabinet were satisfied that the pre-conditions for compulsory purchase have been met and we are confident therefore, that the CPO process will be able to proceed.

"We have spent the last 12 years assembling the land required to progress the comprehensive development of this site, which will provide 2,400 new homes within the New Bermondsey Housing Zone; a new Overground station and bus routes; new public sports and community facilities, parks and squares; new bars, shops and restaurants and improvements to Millwall FC’s stadium – overall creating 2,000 jobs for local people. 

"We are fully committed to bringing positive change to the area and remain focused on delivering one of the largest regeneration schemes in London for Lewisham.”