Chelsea announced on Tuesday that it submitted a planning application to re-develop its Stamford Bridge ground "into a new 60,000-seater stadium," according to Martyn Herman of REUTERS. The current ground, which dates back to 1877 and has been home to the west London club since 1905, holds only 41,600. The club said on its website, "A planning application for a new stadium at Stamford Bridge with an expanded seating capacity has been submitted." Billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich has prioritized "increasing the club's match-day revenue" since taking over in '03, but expanding Stamford Bridge, "which is hemmed in by railway lines and the busy Fulham Road, has proved problematic" (REUTERS, 12/1). In London, Charles Sale reported the blueprint, "which has been closely worked on" with Hammersmith and Fulham Council since Oct. '11, will allow Chelsea supporters, "if they wish, to sit in the same seat in the same stand as they do now, although the ground is being rebuilt from scratch over three years." The stands will have the same names so fans can stay in their favored place. This is because at two public exhibitions to showcase the plans, which drew a 93% approval rate, "the most common question fans asked stadium planners was where their seat would be." The methods of keeping the neighbors onside "include apprentice schemes to learn building skills during construction and ensuring minimum disruption by employing Keltbray," the firm that is "painstakingly bringing down Earls Court Exhibition Centre brick by brick" (DAILY MAIL, 12/1). The BBC reported Chelsea said that the new stadium would see "facilities improved for every area" and offer an "outstanding view" from every seat in an arena "designed to create an exciting atmosphere." The new stadium involves "both excavation works and the construction of new external concourse areas," including the formation of decking platforms over part of the District Line and part of the Southern mainline railway (BBC, 12/1).
AMBITION ON DISPLAY: In London, Todd & Sale reported this "will be the country's most ambitious stadium build yet." On Tuesday, 160 documents were published featuring images of the Blues' planned new home, with work on the £600M ($904.9M)-plus, three-year project expected to be signed off in the summer. Provided it gets the "necessary backing in the now-launched consultation period," Chelsea could begin life at a revamped Stamford Bridge on the first day of the '20-21 season. However, the new design has not "gone down well with all football fans, with some claiming the stadium will look like a colander, a Slinky toy or an egg slicer" (DAILY MAIL, 12/1). The PA reported the build "would be complicated and more lengthy in duration if Chelsea were to remain on site, adding to the cost." Both Chelsea and Tottenham, which is building a new stadium at White Hart Lane, have reportedly been in discussions with the FA to play games at Wembley. The Blues have also considered Twickenham, home of the Rugby Football Union, as a temporary home (PA, 12/1).
LONG PROCESS: The London TELEGRAPH reported although matchday revenues are "less important to Premier League clubs, due to the astronomical sums broadcasters are prepared to pay," Chelsea is "keen to expand the stadium to improve the atmosphere and supporter experience, while also having an arena which befits the club's status as one of the best in the world." Chelsea warned supporters to be patient, "with the planning process expected to last beyond this season." Comments on the planning application close on Jan. 8 (TELEGRAPH, 12/1).
