Chelsea's Supporters Trust is "supporting the decision to redevelop Stamford Bridge rather than move to a new stadium," according to the PA. CST accepts fans must be prepared for "some inconvenience" as the club moves forward with proposals to build a new 60,000-seat stadium on the site of its current home, "which has always been their preference." On Wednesday evening, Hammersmith & Fulham Council's planning and development control committee "voted unanimously in favour" of the £500M ($608M) project, which will be funded by Owner Roman Abramovich. Following the decision, Chelsea "stressed building work was not about to commence immediately on the club's historic home." Further negotiations "lie ahead," including working closely with council officers to "gain full planning consent as well as finalising the design of the new venue and logistics plans for the surrounding area, which will include a residents' forum." Chelsea Pitch Owners, the group which owns the freehold to the land on which the stadium sits, "welcomed the news which helps to ensure the club will remain at Stamford Bridge," its home since 1905, in the long-term. Despite all of the positives, there is "nevertheless set to be a period of disruption ahead while all of the work is eventually carried out," which could include a period where Chelsea would have to find a temporary home, "with Twickenham and Wembley having been mooted as options." Chelsea looked at alternative sites, including Battersea Power Station, as it seeks to increase the current capacity of 41,663, and "will face logistical difficulties ahead" by deciding to stay where it is (PA, 1/12).
