Chelsea have been given the approval to proceed with ambitious plans to build an iconic new home with capacity for 60,000 fans at Stamford Bridge.
Proposals were officially approved after a unanimous vote by council planners after a three-and-a-half hour committee meeting at Hammersmith Town Hall.
There remain further obstacles for Chelsea to clear but this was a key stage victory for Roman Abramovich and his dream of building a new cathedral for football in West London.
The project has proved far more troublesome for Abramovich than the task of turning the team into a success on the pitch since his takeover in 2003.
Chairman Bruce Buck and director Eugene Tenenbaum were inside the Assembly Hall as Hammersmith and Fulham’s planning and development control committee reached a unanimous decision and back the plans at almost 10.30pm on Wednesday.
A statement later released on Chelsea’s official website said: ‘More than a year ago, a planning application for a new stadium at Stamford Bridge with an expanded seating capacity was submitted to our local council, Hammersmith & Fulham.
‘Over the past 12 months we have consulted widely with neighbouring residents, local businesses, statutory authorities and continued to work closely with the council.
‘Tonight the council’s planning committee considered the application and we are grateful that planning permission was granted for the redevelopment of our historic home.
‘The committee decision does not mean that work can begin on site. This is just the latest step, although a significant one, that we have to take before we can commence work, including obtaining various other permissions.
‘We will continue to inform you of progress throughout this process.
‘Thank you for your continued support.’
Approval must still be formalised by London Mayor Sadiq Khan and design details must be finalised in conjunction with Network Rail and Transport for London. Logistical details for the overall site must also be finalised and a residents’ forum will be established.
But Chelsea aim to be playing in their new stadium by the start of the 2021/22 season, with three years in exile from the summer of 2018 as the bulk of the construction work is undertaken.
If the remaining planning formalities go smoothly, the demolition process will begin with on-site ancillary buildings while the team continue to play at Stamford Bridge next season.
The team will then leave for a temporary home – probably Wembley – as the old stadium itself is demolished and earth removed to enable the new pitch to be sunken below ground level.
A stylish new stadium will appear in its place designed by the same architects behind the acclaimed Allianz Arena in Munich, at an estimated cost of more than £500million.
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