Chelsea still believe there is a chance of them building a new stadium at Earls Court, even though an alternative plan for the land has been approved by both councils involved.
The Earls Court Development Company (ECDC) is now close to
receiving full planning permission for a mixed-use development on the same land
that had been mooted as a potential site for a new stadium for Chelsea.
However, club sources, on the condition of anonymity as they
were not authorised to speak publicly, have indicated to the New York Times that they are still
considering all options for the future of their stadium — including a new
ground at Earls Court.
The future of Chelsea’s stadium is not a new debate. Under
previous owner Roman Abramovich, the club submitted an offer for the Battersea
Power Station site in 2012, in which they proposed to build a 60,000-capacity
ground, but a Malaysian consortium purchased the site instead. In 2017, Chelsea
secured planning permission for a 60,000-seat stadium on the site of Stamford
Bridge, but the project was put on hold in 2018 after Abramovich was not issued
a new UK visa. Any new plans to redevelop Stamford Bridge would need new
planning permission.
Since the Todd Boehly-Clearlake consortium took control of
Chelsea in 2022, they have been determined to push Chelsea’s stadium plans
forward, but it has not progressed too much so far. There is a debate between
building a new stadium on the existing Stamford Bridge site or moving to a new
site — hence why nearby Earls Court is under consideration.
Building on a different site, such as Earls Court, would
allow Chelsea to continue playing at Stamford Bridge during construction, and
the larger plot of land would allow potential for further development around
it. However, Chelsea do not own the land at Earls Court. A move away from
Stamford Bridge would also need approval from Chelsea Pitch Owners, the
supporter group that owns the freehold to the land Stamford Bridge stands on.
Chelsea sources speaking to The Athletic on
condition of anonymity say the club have not ruled out building a stadium at
Earls Court. The view is that this planning permission does not necessarily
translate to the ECDC project going ahead.
One source indicated that a stadium could be added to the
ECDC’s development plans, as it would only take up around one-third of the
land. Those with knowledge of the planning process have told The
Athletic that adding a stadium would be a big enough change that a new
planning application would need to be made and go through the process from the
beginning.
However, a proposal including a world-class stadium would
likely have little problem getting approval relatively quickly, as it would
involve massive private-sector investment and create benefits for the
community.
I understand Chelsea's dilemma and wish them well, but I remain unconvinced about the viability of the Earls Court option.
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