Chelsea given go-ahead to increase Stamford Bridge

Chelsea have moved a step closer to redeveloping their Stamford Bridge ground after proposals were approved by the local council. PHOTO/AFP.

LONDON, United Kingdom, Jan 12 – Chelsea have moved a step closer to redeveloping their Stamford Bridge ground after proposals were approved by the local council.

The Premier League leaders have secured planning permission to increase the capacity of their ground to 60,000 after Hammersmith and Fulham Council agreed to the request at a hearing on Wednesday.

Currently, Stamford Bridge holds 41,663 supporters which makes it the ninth largest stadium in England. Championship sides Newcastle and Aston Villa both boast bigger grounds.

Rather than build a new home from scratch as the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City have done Chelsea have opted to stay put and redevelop Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea may have to find a temporary location during the building work though, due to the scale of the changes to the ground.

However, approval represents a major boost to the plans after a three-hour council meeting attended by Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck.

The scheme will still have to be rubber-stamped by the Mayor of London.

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