Report: Chelsea stadium redevelopment plans set for approval

Fans arrive at Stamford Bridge prior to the FA Cup game between Chelsea and Manchester City on February 20, 2016
© Getty Images
Chelsea are reportedly confident that they will be granted planning permission to expand the capacity of Stamford Bridge at a local council meeting next week.

Chelsea are reportedly confident that plans to redevelop Stamford Bridge will be given the green light to proceed next week.

The West London giants want to expand their stadium, which currently has a capacity of just under 42,000, to ensure that they can keep up with their Premier League rivals.

Chelsea submitted a proposal to Hammersmith and Fulham council in November 2015 and, following revisions last August, both local residents and the council's planning committee have come out largely in favour of the scheme going ahead.

Case officer John Sanchez is quoted by the Evening Standard as saying that Herzog & de Meuron's design for the site "has met the demands of a potentially difficult brief" and "builds upon the historic context of previous stadia on the site".

He added: "The resulting design is a high quality piece of design and a unique architectural solution. It would have the landmark qualities of a significant sporting venue with a clear identity and would declutter and unify the site."

The Blues currently boast only the seventh largest stadium in the Premier League, while Tottenham Hotspur's new 61,000-seat home set to relegate them to fourth in London.

Hammersmith and Fulham's planning committee are set to give their verdict on the new development at a meeting next Wednesday.

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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Chelsea20161342152749
2Liverpool20135248232544
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs20126239142542
4Manchester CityMan City20133441221942
5Arsenal20125344222241
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd20116331191239
7Everton208662823530
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom208572824429
9Bournemouth207492934-525
10Southampton206681925-624
11Stoke CityStoke206682432-824
12Burnley2072112231-923
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham2064102335-1222
14Watford2064102336-1322
15Leicester CityLeicester205692431-721
16Middlesbrough204791722-519
17Crystal Palace2044123037-716
18Sunderland2043131937-1815
19Swansea CitySwansea2043132345-2215
20Hull City2034131744-2713