Pressure is building on Lewisham Council ahead of a meeting to decide the future of Millwall Football Club and the ‘New Bermondsey’ re-development.

Politicians and community leaders from across the political spectrum have come out in support of Millwall and to oppose a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) of the land that surrounds The Den.

Lewisham Conservatives have spoken out against the plans which would see the land sold to offshore development company Renewal, and could force Millwall to leave Lewisham after 100 years in the borough.

Lewisham Tory leaders have urged Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Sajid Javid, secretary of state for communities and local government, to act against the proposed CPO.

The main points raised in the letter, seen by News Shopper, is the future of Millwall FC, the close relationship between Lewisham Council and Renewal, and the limited social or affordable housing proposed.

It is also highlighted that in the original plans Renewal was set to pay for a new London Overground station at Surrey Canal Road, which will now be funded by the taxpayer.

Ross Archer, Chairman of Lewisham Deptford Conservatives, said: “I have no confidence in the Labour dominated Lewisham Council making the right decision on this scheme.

“This scheme has not felt right from the start. Lewisham Council have appeared cagey on this for a while – not letting Millwall F.C. initially know about their plans to sell the land and entering a closed process with Renewal are just a few examples of this.

“If Lewisham residents are to have any confidence in the decision on the development around Millwall it needs to be taken out of the Council’s hands. I hope the Secretary of State or Mayor of London calls this decision in.”

The Council originally voted in favour of the CPO in September, which was then ‘called in’ by the Overview and Scrutiny Business Panel led by Labour Councillor Alan Hall who has been vocal in his support for Millwall.

Cllr Hall said: “"Over the past five years Renewal's original outline planning application has fallen apart in slow motion in front of our very eyes.

"Renewal was going to pay for the new station at Surrey Canal Road - the taxpayer is now funding that; there was a multi-faith centre planned for Lewisham's diverse communities - that is now a cathedral-sized church for Christian evangelists from Australia and the ever-shrinking proposed 'sporting village' will drive away one of football's most famous clubs and it's highly successful community scheme providing opportunities for Lewisham's young people.

"That is bad enough but is also on top of the many questions surrounding governance, due diligence and ownership of Renewal that remain unanswered to this day."

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has also lent his support to the campaign.

He spoke out in support of Millwall and the clubs role in the Lewisham community in an opinion piece for The Guardian, saying “football clubs matter – it is time for politicians to realise that and take the game’s future seriously.”

The decision will be made tomorrow at the 6pm meeting.