Chelsea's
Supporters Trust (CST) is supporting the decision to redevelop Stamford
Bridge rather than move to a new stadium.
CST accepts fans must be prepared for "some inconvenience" as the club moves
forward with proposals to build a new 60,000-seater stadium on the site of
their current home, which has always been their preference.
On Wednesday evening, Hammersmith and Fulham Council's planning and
development control committee voted unanimously in favour of the £500m
project, which will be funded by owner Roman Abramovich.
Following the decision, Chelsea stressed building work was not about to
commence immediately on the club's historic home.
Further negotiations lie ahead, including working closely with council
officers to gain full planning consent as well as finalising the design of
the new venue and logistics plans for the surrounding area, which will
include a residents' forum.
Chelsea Pitch Owners, the group which owns the freehold to the land on which
the stadium sits, welcomed the news which helps to ensure the club will
remain at Stamford Bridge, its home since 1905, in the long-term.
Despite all of the positives, there is nevertheless set to be a period of
disruption ahead while all of the work is eventually carried out, which
could include a period where Chelsea would have to find a temporary home,
with Twickenham and Wembley having been mooted as options.
Chelsea Supporters' Trust will continue to work with the club to make sure
the overall impact on supporters is limited.
"We welcome both the decision made by Mr Abramovich to redevelop the
football stadium rather than move to another part of London and the
Council's unanimous decision to approve these exciting and ambitious plans,"
a statement from CST read.
"Stamford Bridge and Chelsea FC can now remain part of the community for
many years to come, playing football in one of the finest stadiums in the
country and one that reflects our rich history.
"Mr Abramovich's team should be congratulated for their sensitive handling
of and full engagement with supporters and the wider community in putting
the planning submission together.
"As supporters, we are mindful that there will be much change and perhaps
some inconvenience during the rebuilding period with a temporary move to
another stadium and then with the move back to the new stadium once the
redevelopment has been completed."
Chelsea had looked at alternative sites, including Battersea Power Station,
as they seek to increase their current capacity of 41,663, and will face
logistical difficulties ahead by deciding to stay where they are.
It remains to be seen just where and for how long Chelsea would have to play
home matches away from Stamford Bridge because of the development work.
The CST added: "We will continue to seek dialogue with the club on matters
such as ticket pricing to mitigate the additional expense and inconvenience
of travelling to a temporary stadium; to encourage and increase the
opportunity for younger supporters to gain access to reasonably priced
tickets and to assist with plans to create the best possible atmosphere at
matches through sensitive seating plans where like-minded supporters can
congregate together.
"During the redevelopment, we will continue to talk to the appointed
consultants, the club and other relevant stakeholders to help ensure
supporter opinion is properly and openly taken into account with regard to
issues such as facilities, ticket pricing, safe standing, seating plans and
atmosphere as we look to move back to the redeveloped stadium.
"Whilst planning permission hopefully goes a long way to safeguarding the
future of Stamford Bridge, the Chelsea Supporters' Trust will continue to
support the Chelsea Pitch Owners in their aims to keep Chelsea FC playing
football in the stadium now and for generations to come."
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