Chelsea FC's plans for a new £500m stadium on the site of its Stamford Bridge ground have been approved by London mayor, Sadiq Khan.

The application, which was given backing by Hammersmith and Fulham Council in January, will see capacity at the ground increase from 41,663 to 60,000.

Mr Khan said he was satisfied the new stadium was a “high-quality and spectacular design”, which would significantly boost capacity for the Premier League club.

The stunning stadium is designed by Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, who created the Beijing Olympic Bird’s Nest Stadium, and is inspired by Westminster Cathedral.

It will include the construction of an elevated walkway over the nearby District Line, linking the stadium to Fulham Broadway station.

Mr Khan said: “London is one of the world’s greatest sporting cities and I’m delighted that we will soon add Chelsea’s new stadium to the already fantastic array of sporting arenas in the capital."

Artistic impression of the new stadium

He continued: “Having taken a balanced view of the application, I’m satisfied this is a high-quality and spectacular design which will significantly increase capacity within the existing site, as well as ensuring fans can have easy access from nearby transport connections.

“I’m confident this new stadium will be a jewel in London’s sporting crown and will attract visitors and football fans from around the world.”

Chelsea's vision for the new Stamford Bridge

He has also given the green light to a new stadium for AFC Wimbledon, which sees the "Dons" set to return to their Plough Lane home nearly three decades after leaving it in 1991.

The new stadium is said to bring improvements to the area with it

Hammersmith and Fulham Council said Chelsea, who hope to stretch their lead at the top of the table against West Ham on Monday (March 6) evening, has agreed to pay for a series of community schemes and upgrades to local facilities within the borough as part of plans to transform Stamford Bridge.

Some of the £22m will be spent on improvements will to housing, CCTV and transport routes, the local authority said.

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