Chelsea have held talks over leaving Stamford Bridge and moving to Earls Court as they seek a resolution to their plans for a bigger stadium. Increasing the capacity from 42,000 is a major priority for the owners and the difficulty of redeveloping the ground has led the club to look for a new site in west London.
Discussions have been held with Transport for London (TfL), one of the partners that looks after the Earls Court site, and the real estate developers Delancey. The Earl’s Court Development Committee (ECDC) wants to build a mixed-use development and no football stadium is included in its master plan, which is due to be presented next week to Hammersmith and Fulham council and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council.
The ECDC will be able to move ahead if it receives planning permission and that would place a major obstacle in Chelsea’s way. Key figures involved in planning in London believe the plans could be too expensive and that could open the door for Chelsea because a multi-use football stadium would in those circumstances be attractive. There would be the potential to build affordable housing on the site if Chelsea’s plan is approved.
Chelsea are understood to have drawn up plans and to have identified the Lillie Bridge depot as the area on which to build. Jason Gannon, the Chelsea chief executive, has been leading discussions and had productive talks with TfL and Delancey. Chelsea would need an agreement with Chelsea Pitch Owners, which holds the freehold of Stamford Bridge stadium and could block any attempt to move.
Chelsea have not ruled out staying put but there has been no progress in any plans to redevelop Stamford Bridge. The ground’s proximity to a tube line makes a rebuild extremely challenging. Chelsea have considered a stand-by-stand rebuild and they could be forced to play at a temporary home, likely Wembley, for a number of years if they knock down Stamford Bridge. Chelsea made space for such a project after completing the purchase of a 1.2-acre site next to Stamford Bridge from Stoll, a housing charity for veterans.
Chelsea would need to submit a bid for Earls Court, with a source saying a conservative estimate of its value could be about £500m. The club’s owners are committed to maximising revenues by building one of the biggest and best stadiums in the country.
A potential obstacle for Chelsea is the civil war between their co-owners. Clearlake Capital, the majority shareholder, and Todd Boehly have fallen out and are looking at ways to buy each other out.
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A spokesman for the ECDC said: “There is no plan within our plans for Chelsea FC to relocate to the Earls Court site. We have a fully detailed design, shortly to be registered with both local authorities, which prioritises the delivery of thousands of homes and jobs, culture and open space through a well-designed and considered masterplan which has evolved over four years of engagement. This will see development commence in 2026 with the first residents and occupiers moving in from 2030. This is, and will remain, our primary focus.”
Chelsea have been approached for comment.
Source: theguardian.com
