Chelsea submit stadium planning application for new 60000-seater Stamford

Chelsea have submitted a planning application to rebuild Stamford Bridge into a 60,000-seat stadium and the images released by the club show a design that is unique to say the least.

The club previously submitted plans for a new stadium at the iconic Battersea Power station next to the River Thames, but that potential deal fell through.

The Premier League side’s application will now be examined by the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

The application includes plans to demolish the current 41,600-seater stadium and build the new arena in the same spot.

The ground’s current 41,798 capacity restricts Chelsea’s ability to maximise match-day revenues. “This follows a successful consultation process during which we received very helpful feedback”, the club announced on their official website.

The application was submitted by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s holding company Fordstam.

Finding a solution to relatively small home attendances has become all the more pressing with Chelsea’s London rivals either already playing in bigger stadiums or soon to be.

The Blues have also considered Twickenham, home of the Rugby Football Union, as a temporary home.

Details of the plans, published on the Hammersmith and Fulham Council website, outline the impact on the local area and the transport links that may be affected.

If Chelsea are given the go ahead by the council to build the stadium, construction could begin as early as May 2016, with the club vacating the premises at the end of the 2016-17 season.