BBC TV Centre to become new Chelsea Stadium?

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Speculation over BBC Television Centre's Future

Tongues are wagging that the BBC's Television Centre in Wood Line could become Chelsea's new home. The BBC Corporation announced they would be selling the iconic building last week.

The strong speculation has come from the property world, who regard it as having huge potential for Chelsea because it is in the same Hammersmith & Fulham borough as Stamford Bridge.

Not just that, it has good transport links while the £300million cost of buying it - followed by another £600m-plus to build a stadium - wouldn't deter billionaire owner Roman Abramovich if he felt it was right.

However, Chelsea's initial reaction is that the 13-acre BBC site might be too small, with their current Stamford Bridge complex covering 12.5 acres and the club ideally wanting a 20-acre property to accommodate a 60,000-capacity ground.

But the club are running out of options. Their search for a site has already taken in White City, the Earls Court and Olympia exhibition centres, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, Wembley, the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, Battersea Power Station, Imperial Wharf and Chelsea Barracks.

 

October 26, 2007