Chelsea Confirm Planning Permission for New Stadium Is About to Expire

​Chelsea have confirmed that their planning permission to build a new stadium is set to expire on 31 March, but they insist plans to complete the project have not been scrapped completely.

Back in January 2017, the Blues were permitted to start work on a lucrative redevelopment of Stamford Bridge, but the project was paused in May 2018 after owner Roman Abramovich was denied a visa to work in the UK.

Economic uncertainty in the aftermath of Brexit was cited as a reason for the pause, and the club took to their ​official website to confirm that that has also played a part in their decision to allow the planning permission to expire.

"Chelsea Football Club acknowledges that the planning permission we obtained for a new stadium expires on 31st March 2020," a statement read.

"We are grateful to all our fans and stakeholders, especially Hammersmith & Fulham Council, for their patience and understanding in the matter. We will continue to consider our options for a new stadium, should economic conditions improve."

Brexit concerns are still real, but there is now the added uncertainty of how the economy will look once the coronavirus crisis comes to an end, and it seems worth noting that ​Chelsea have not mentioned whether they intend to reapply in the near future.

As part of the agreement when they obtained planning permission, Chelsea were supposed to have already started demolishing all the buildings around the ground, including the two hotels. However, given Abramovich has offered one of those to NHS staff to help in their fight against the current pandemic, it was always clear that the process wouldn't be getting started soon.

As a result, the Blues will remain at the Bridge for the foreseeable future - a decision which frustrated outgoing Chelsea Pitch Owners chairman Charles Rose.

FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-SUNDERLAND-TROPHY

“The confirmation [of permission lapsing] represents the biggest missed opportunity in the lifetime of most Chelsea fans,” said Rose (via ​The Telegraph). 

“Many of us who have supported the club’s efforts in this regard over the last 10 years will feel let down that we are back to where we started. In order to remain as a top English and European force, Stamford Bridge must either be rebuilt or at least redeveloped, and it appears the club are now not listening to any alternatives which is disappointing."


For more from Tom Gott, follow him on Twitter!


Source : 90min