Chelsea are given a lifeline in restarting the £ 1 billion redevelopment of Stamford Bridge as the government distributes an extension of planning permission until next April – after the old deal has expired en masse
- Chelsea’s planning authorization deadline expired on March 31
- But since it was during the blockade, they are entitled to an extension until April
- The £ 1 billion redevelopment would have seen Stamford Bridge reach 60,000 seats
Chelsea’s incredible 60,000-seat proposals could be brought back to the brink based on new plans announced by housing secretary Robert Jenrick.
The club’s hopes for a £ 1 billion overhaul of their Stamford Bridge stadium appeared to have ended in late March when planning permits expired without the start of construction.
But on Monday, Jenrick unveiled plans that the government hopes to trigger a building boom to help the economy in the coronavirus era.
Chelsea could revive its £ 1 billion plans under new government measures
The planning permission for the reconstruction of the Stamford Bridge expired on March 31
But according to new government proposals, Chelsea now has until April 2021 to start working
Jenrick said that “the deadlines for planning permits will be extended … (this) will prevent the blocking of work temporarily interrupted by the pandemic”.
And that’s the key to Chelsea: sites that had a block expiration date can benefit from an extension until April 1, 2021. Their planning permit expired on March 31 and the block started on 23 March.
According to the original plan, Chelsea’s current 41,600-seat Stamford Bridge stadium would have been demolished to make way for the construction of the new 60,000-seat venue.
The planning permission typically lasts for three years and Chelsea received permission to start demolishing the buildings around Stamford Bridge to make extra space in March 2017. But the work never started.
Chelsea recognized the deadline for planning permits in March.
The plans included upgrading the Stamford bridge from 41,600 seats to a capacity of 60,000
It remains to be seen whether owner Roman Abramovich will benefit from the extension
They said, “Chelsea Football Club recognizes that the planning permission we have obtained for a new stadium expires on March 31, 2020.
‘We are grateful to all our fans and stakeholders, in particular Hammersmith and Fulham Council, for their patience and understanding in this regard.
“We will continue to consider our options for a new stadium in case economic conditions improve.”
It remains to be seen whether Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich believes that the £ 1 billion project is economically viable in the current climate.
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