Chelsea Football Club are said to have held talks over leaving Stamford Bridge and moving to Earl’s Court as they seek a resolution to their plans for a bigger stadium.
Increasing the capacity from c.40,000 is a major priority for the owners. Challenges of redeveloping the existing ground has led the club to look for a new site in west London.
Discussions have been held with Transport for London, one of the partners that looks after the Earl’s Court site, and the real estate developer Delancey. The Earl’s Court Development Committee 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 multiuse 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.
