Chelsea Bid To Buy Battersea Power Station For New 60,000 Stadium
The plans would keep the landmark four chimneys of the power station as part of the stadium design that would include a 15,000 single-tier south stand.
Chelsea have made a bid to buy the Battersea Power Station and have revealed plans to re-develop the site into a 60,000 seater stadium. The plans would keep the landmark four chimneys of the power station as part of the stadium design that would include a 15,000 single-tier south stand. A statement on the club website said:. "Chelsea Football Club can confirm to our fans that we have today submitted an offer, with our property development partner Almacantar, to acquire the 39-acre Battersea Power Station site. "Battersea Power Station is one of London's most famous buildings and has the potential to become one of the most iconic football stadiums in the world."Chelsea have been looking for a new home for a while and admitted in March that expanding or re-developing their current home Stamford Bridge made absolutely no economic sense in this climate. There has also been the constant struggle of gaining planning permissions to re-develop Stamford Bridge as a brand new stadium, although the statement does stress that just because they have made an offer does not mean necessarily that they will leave the Bridge;
"We must also stress that making an offer for the Battersea Power Station site does not mean the club has made a definitive decision to leave Stamford Bridge," the statement adds. "Working with architects and planning experts we have developed a plan to preserve all the significant aspects of Battersea Power Station. The four iconic chimneys and wash towers along with the Grade II* listed west turbine hall and control room will be restored and retained in their original locations and provide a unique architectural backdrop to a world-class stadium with a capacity of around 60,000 seats. "Following feedback from fans, our initial plans include a 15,000-all seated one-tier stand behind the south goal, likely to be the biggest one-tier stand in football.Chelsea's current 41,837 stadium is not thought to be big enough to allow them to compete with the biggest clubs in Europe. Stamford Bridge is only the ninth biggest in the country and the eighth biggest used in the Premier League behind Old Trafford (75, 811), Arsenal's Emirates Stadium (60, 361), Newcastle's St. James' Park (52,409), Sunderland's Stadium of Light (49,000), City of Manchester Stadium (47,405), Anfield (45,276) and Villa Park (42,786). The club statement reveals that Chelsea were listening closely to fans suggestions for the design of the stadium and that it would come with its own sports complex;
"Also as suggested by many fans, the stadium proposed is rectangular in shape with four separate stands. The design includes a bigger family area and more room for disabled supporters. "As well as a new home for our club, the development would include a town centre with substantial street-level retail shops, affordable housing and offices - all of which would benefit Wandsworth and bring a significant number of permanent jobs to the area. "We would also make a significant contribution towards the Northern Line Extension, a new high-volume transport link proposed for the area.Chelsea revealed that they are not the only party interested in buying the Battersea Power Station site.