Time Limit on Chelsea's Stadium Plans Expires
Permission to expand capacity to 60,000 has elapsed
Chelsea Football Club’s £500 million stadium redevelopment has been thrown into further doubt after the time limit on its planning permission expired.
The Premier League club wanted to build a new 60,000-seat stadium on the site of its historic Stamford Bridge home.
It won planning permission from Hammersmith and Fulham Council in 2017 for a scheme that included a new bridge over the District Line, a museum, shops and a restaurant.
Because of its scale, the plans had to be approved by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who complemented its “high-quality and spectacular design”
But the three-year time limit to begin construction ended on March 31.
A statement from the club reads: “Chelsea Football Club acknowledges that the planning permission we obtained for a new stadium expires on March 31, 2020.
“We are grateful to all our fans and stakeholders, especially Hammersmith & Fulham Council, for their patience and understanding in the matter.
“We will continue to consider our options for a new stadium, should economic conditions improve.”
The club was approached for comment on whether it will submit a new planning application for the same site it has occupied since 1876, or if it will look for a new location.
The club did not respond to a request for further comment.
Owen Sheppard - Local Democracy Reporter
April 1, 2020