Chelsea Football Club’s (CFC) proposal to build a stadium comparable to those of its top-tier Premier League rivals has been submitted to the council.
The application, which was registered by the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham on 19 November, comprises the demolition of the existing 41,600-capacity ground and its surrounding buildings, and replacing it with a 60,000-capacity stadium.
Designed by Swiss architects, Herzog & de Meuron, the development will include a club shop and museum, as well as a separate restaurant or cafe. The building of the project will require excavation works and the construction of external concourse areas.
Pedestrian access from Fulham Broadway Station and Fulham Road will be provided, with vehicle access along Wansdown place.
The development is being put forward by the Chelsea hierarchy after it commissioned a feasibility study. The club had previously explored the possibility of moving to Earls Court, White City or Battersea Power Station, although supporters opposed the mooted relocation of the club which has played at Stamford Bridge since its inception in 1905.
A consultation process is now open until 8 January 2016. If the project gets the green light, the current Premier League champions would have one of the largest home grounds in the country. At present, its capacity lags behind the likes of Manchester United’s Old Trafford (75,731), Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium (60,338) and Manchester City (55,000).
Stamford Bridge is also smaller than Newcastle’s St James’ Park (52,404), Sunderland’s Stadium of Light (49,000), Anfield in Liverpool (45,522) and Aston Villa’s Villa Park (42,537), while Tottenham Hotspur is currently in the process of developing its own 61,000-capacity ground.
According to a statement on the club website, the planning process will last beyond the end of the season, with “lots of work to do before redevelopment can start” if planning permission is granted.
Reports have suggested that Chelsea will take on its London rival Tottenham Hotspur to use Wembley Stadium for home games while work is taking place, although iconic rugby venue Twickenham has also been mooted.
