Football
PA Sport 7y

Chelsea hoping for Stamford Bridge development boost

Chelsea will hope to move a step closer to redeveloping Stamford Bridge when Hammersmith and Fulham Council hear a planning application on Wednesday.

Chelsea have decided developing their current home, rather than relocating elsewhere, is their preferred option as they look to provide a 60,000-seater stadium with a capacity more akin to other top-flight clubs.

Hammersmith and Fulham Council has already recommended the application be approved, with a formal meeting scheduled of the planning and development control committee at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.

Chelsea's redevelopment project is to be funded by owner Roman Abramovich, to an estimated cost of some £500 million.

The proximity of underground and overground railway lines are one of the biggest challenges for such a huge project in an area of West London that offers little wiggle room.

The build would be complex and involve excavation, with the plan to lower the arena into the ground to achieve the capacity on a 12-acre site.

Stamford Bridge's capacity is 41,663, making it the seventh biggest in the Premier League.

Nevertheless, it falls well short of Manchester United's 76,000-seater Old Trafford, while Arsenal, Manchester City, West Ham, Sunderland and Liverpool all now boast bigger grounds.

Chelsea had previously looked at sites including Battersea Power Station for a new stadium, but concluded their ideal arena could be created at their present location.

Should it be necessary for the Blues to look for a temporary home while work is carried out, Twickenham has been mooted as a contender for a part-time base, although Wembley could also be a candidate.

However, London rivals Tottenham are set to occupy the national stadium for at least the 2017-18 campaign as development on their own new ground is completed.

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