Leyton Orient Football Club and the London Borough of Waltham Forest have signed a Development Performance Agreement (DPA), marking the next important step in their shared ambition to explore a transformational sports-led regeneration project in the borough. The DPA builds on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the parties in September 2025. While the MoU established a common vision, the DPA puts in place a more formal framework for the next phase of work, including project governance, coordinated technical and planning activity, information sharing and stakeholder engagement. The Club and its project team will now develop and test the emerging proposals, with Council officers providing feedback through the DPA process. This work will help shape the emerging proposals, identify the principal planning and delivery considerations, and explore their potential benefits for Leyton Orient supporters, local residents, and the wider East London community. The agreement does not predetermine any future planning decision, and any proposal will remain subject to the necessary land, statutory, consultation and planning processes. The Club’s emerging vision extends beyond a new stadium. Leyton Orient brings 145 years of history in East London and 90 years in the heart of Leyton. The goal is to build on that by allowing Leyton Orient’s sporting ambition to thrive and also strengthen its already deep community roots. The project is committed to creating more opportunities for young people, jobs and skills, supporting small business and enterprise, and developing a stronger local economy. East London is filled with proud, caring communities and using professional and community sport, entertainment, public realm, hospitality and education, supported by modern digital and sustainable infrastructure, the project would seek to make a significant contribution to the area. David Gandler, Majority Shareholder of Leyton Orient Football Club, said: "Signing the Development Performance Agreement is a meaningful step forward. Our first agreement with Waltham Forest captured a shared ambition; this DPA gives us the structure to undertake the next stage of work required to test that ambition responsibly and move the project forward. Our vision is not simply to build a football stadium. It is to create a distinctive, year-round destination for sport, entertainment and community life - one that protects Leyton Orient's long-term future, helps drive the Club forward, honours our East London heritage and creates lasting economic and social value for local residents. Our ambition is for the project to support thousands of jobs and create real pathways for young people and students in the area through placements, apprenticeships and training, while helping local businesses benefit from the investment it could bring. Leyton Orient was founded in 1881, and our ambition is for the Club to have a new home in place for our 150th anniversary in 2031 - securing Leyton Orient for the next 150 years. There is a great deal of work still to do, but this agreement demonstrates genuine momentum and a serious commitment to the next phase of work." Cllr Eva Tabbasam, Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, said: “Leyton Orient is one of the Council’s key stakeholders, and we are committed to working with them as they bring their vision and ambitions for Waltham Forest to life. As the local planning authority, our aim is to ensure that any development proposals deliver meaningful benefits for local residents.” Mark Devlin, Chief Executive of Leyton Orient Football Club, said: "This is an important milestone for the Club and its supporters. Brisbane Road will always be central to Leyton Orient's identity, but its physical and commercial constraints limit our ability to grow sustainably. The DPA provides a structured framework for examining, in detail, how a new home could support the Club's ambitions while delivering meaningful benefits beyond matchdays." Neil Taylor, Chief Executive of Leyton Orient Trust, said: "Our goal throughout this is to continue delivering on our mission at Leyton Orient, which is to improve life chances. We are working hard to make sure that, as this project develops, we are thinking about the full range of stakeholders in the community - and the Trust is playing a key role in all of it. A project of this scale has the potential to improve life chances for a significantly greater number of people across Waltham Forest and the surrounding boroughs than we can reach today." The project will seek to reflect Waltham Forest's priorities for inclusive economic growth, culture, sport, health and wellbeing, environmental responsibility and high quality public space. Leyton Orient remains committed to affordability, community access and working with the Leyton Orient Trust to expand opportunities for young people and underrepresented groups. The partners will provide further updates as the next phase progresses and as proposals are developed sufficiently for wider engagement. Supporters, residents, local businesses and other stakeholders will have opportunities to contribute through the appropriate consultation process.
Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: www.leytonorient.com