HAMMERSMITH and Fulham Council have once again urged Chelsea Football Club to reconsider moving away from Stamford Bridge after details of its bid to acquire Battersea Power Station emerged last week.
The Premier League club want a bigger stadium to rival the 60,000-plus capacity grounds of Arsenal and Manchester United and have officially submitted an offer to buy the 39-acre site, which is just three miles down the road.
The council insists that the club can expand in its current Fulham Road home and as the Blues' presence in the borough generates £30million for local businesses, it's vital they stay if the area is to remain a thriving business hub.
The council have said they would find a 55,000 capacity at the stadium acceptable.
In response to the club's bid, Nick Botterill, deputy leader of the council, said: "Stamford Bridge is Chelsea's historic home and it remains the council's view that it should be their future home.
"We are proud to be the only borough in the country with three Premier League clubs and we do not want our local businesses and residents to lose out on the economic and social benefits that this brings.
"CFC is a thriving business which contributes significant benefits to the area and we will continue to work closely with the club to explore all possible avenues for keeping them here at their original home."
Stamford Bridge, which has a current capacity of 41,837, belongs to a consortium called the Chelsea Pitch Owners, who have been in a battle with the club over a proposed switch away from SW6.
The club want to turn the iconic power station into a world-class stadium with 60,000 seat capacity, also building a town centre with shops, affordable housing and offices.
However the club insisted it is still in the early stages, saying in a statement: "We appreciate that we may have significant hurdles to address if we are able to build a new stadium on the site, including winning the support of our fans, the CPO shareholders and local Wandsworth residents, as well as securing the approval of Wandsworth Council, the Greater London Authority and heritage authorities.
"We must also stress that making an offer for the Battersea Power Station site does not mean the club has made a definitive decision to leave Stamford Bridge."
