Chelsea are considering building a stadium that could cost up to £2billion and involve them playing away from Stamford Bridge for four years, either at Fulham’s Craven Cottage, Twickenham or Wembley.
The club’s design was been described as a “unique architectural solution” and recommended by planning officers as it is set to go before Hammersmith and Fulham Council next Wednesday
Chelsea’s plans to turn Stamford Bridge into a 60,000 stadium look set to get the green light (Image: Neil Vano)
Chelsea ‘s plans for a new 60,000 seat stadium look set to be given the green light next week.
A report prepared on the expansion of current home Stamford Bridge has recommended that Hammersmith and Fulham councillors approve the plans which would create a “significant sporting venue.”
The design by architects Herzog & de Meuron, which includes a complete makeover of the old ground’s look, was lauded by a planning officer as a “unique architectural solution”.
The Blues submitted the plans, which would see a significant increase to the Bridge’s current 42,000 capacity, in November 2015.
Inside the new-look design for Stamford Bridge ( Image: Neil Vano)
A planning officer’s report was full of praise for the designs ( Image: Neil Vano)
Since then residents have voiced their opinions on the design, with more than 70 per cent in favour.
The club are side the be confident that the scheme will be given the nod at the local authority’s planning meeting on Wednesday.
Briefing councillors ahead of the meeting, Case officer John Sanchez said the design “has met the demands of a potentially difficult brief” and “builds upon the historic context of previous stadia on the site”.
A 3D rendering of the interior stairs inside the new Stadium surrounds ( Image: Neil Vano)
An artist’s impression of the view from outside the ground ( Image: Goolistan Cooper)
He added: “The resulting design is a high quality piece of design and a unique architectural solution. It would have the landmark qualities of a significant sporting venue with a clear identity and would declutter and unify the site.”
Should councillors give the go ahead only Mayor Sadiq Khan will be able to to stand in Chelsea’s way.
The Blues are in desperate need of a new stadium, currently boasting only the seventh largest stadium in the Premier League – with Tottenham’s new 61,000 seat home set to relegate them to fourth in London.
The club had previously considered moving to a new site at the former Battersea Power Station, but the expansion would allow them to stay at Stamford Bridge, which has been their home since 1905.
Source: mirror.co.uk
