December 2 – Chelsea have formally submitted a planning application for the expansion of their Stamford Bridge stadium to a 60,000 capacity stadium.
The current stadium has a capacity of 41,798 seats and the club has an average attendance of 99.5% of this capacity for its Premier League matches.
A 60,000-seat stadium would be the third largest in the Premier League behind Manchester United’s Old Trafford which has a 75,731 capacity and Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium with 60,432.
The new Stamford Bridge would be a complete rebuild with the old stadium and building around the ground being demolished to make way for the new complex that would include a club ship and museum as well as a separate use restaurant/café.
The current hotel that backs into the stadium would also be demolished.
A major part of the proposal is the plan to build improved access to the local rail links. The plans show the construction of decking platforms over part of the District Line and part of the Southern mainline railway providing direct access to the stadium.
A club statement said the new stadium would provide “an outstanding view of the stadium from every seat; an arena designed to create an exciting atmosphere; stadium facilities improved for every area”.
The application is lodged with the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham planning department who have said the comments on the plans can be made up to January 8.
Chelsea said that “the planning process will last beyond the end of the season; if the application is granted planning permission there will still be a lot of work to do before redevelopment can start, including obtaining various other consents.”
If plans are passed Chelsea will likely play home games at Wembley while the reconstruction takes place, though Twickenham Rugby Stadium has been suggested as a possible alternative venue.
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