Industry News

London Mayor signs off on new Chelsea stadium

Chelsea is set to move forward with its new stadium plans after the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, today (Monday) approved the plans for the English Premier League football club to rebuild on the site of its existing Stamford Bridge home ground.

Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s planning committee approved Chelsea’s proposal unanimously in January.

The project is expected to cost at least £500m (€577m/$614m) and will expand the match-day capacity from 41,600 to 60,000. It could be complete by the 2021-22 season.

Following the approval to update the club’s home since 1905, Khan said: “Having taken a balanced view of the application, I’m satisfied this is a high-quality and spectacular design which will significantly increase capacity within the existing site, as well as ensuring fans can have easy access from nearby transport connections.”

The development will include the construction of an elevated walkway over the nearby District Line, linking the stadium to Fulham Broadway station.

The club’s application also includes an investment of £12m in community activities, such as employment and skills training, as well as a contribution of £3.75m towards affordable housing in the borough.

Khan said: “London is one of the world’s greatest sporting cities and I’m delighted that we will soon add Chelsea’s new stadium to the already fantastic array of sporting arenas in the capital.

“I’m confident this new stadium will be a jewel in London’s sporting crown and will attract visitors and football fans from around the world.”

Swiss architecture firm Herzog & De Meuron, which designed the Allianz Arena in Munich and Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium, has led the design on the Stamford Bridge restoration.