Chelsea have announced a bid to build a 60,000 seater stadium on the site of Battersea Power Station, although they have emphasised that this does not necessarily mean that they have decided to leave Stamford Bridge. It does, however, make such a move more likely.
Chelsea have announced a bid to build a 60,000 seater stadium on the site of Battersea Power Station, although they have emphasised that this does not necessarily mean that they have decided to leave Stamford Bridge. It does, however, make such a move more likely.
The offer has been made in partnership with development partner Almancatar. The stadium would be rectangular with four separate stands rather than being ‘wrap around’ as has been usual in some recent designs. However, many fans prefer a rectangular shape with separate stands. The goal behind the south stand would be the biggest one tier stand in football, accommodating 15,000.
The development would include retail shops and affordable housing. A contribution would be made to the cost of the Northern Line extension which would provide the high volume transport needed by fans. The figure that developers would be required to contribute has been mentioned as £200m, but that might be negotiable.
Battersea Power Station is a Grade II listed building, but despite a number of schemes being put forward it has proved impossible to find a practical use for it. The four iconic chimneys and wash towers would be retained along with the Grade II* listed west turbine hall and control room.
The building’s condition has been described as “very bad’ by English Heritage and is included in its Buildings at Risk Register. In 2004 the site was listed on the 2004 World Monuments Watch by the World Monuments Fund
The move south of the river would need the approval of Chelsea Pitch Owners, a fan-led group that owns the freehold to the land beneath Stamford Bridge.