Chelsea’s management have received a major positive boost in their plans to renovate Stamford Bridge after the club won approval for their bid to buy an entire residential street behind the current facility, the British press reported on Tuesday.
Plans for the redevelopment were approved in July when they negotiated a deal for the homes of more than 100 World War II veterans. The Daily Mail adds that former veterans themselves were furious at the prospect of being forced to move from their homes.
They even filed a petition trying to stop the deal, but it ultimately didn’t come to fruition. The homes themselves are owned by the “Stoll Charity” organization, which has already announced that the deal with the Blues has been fully approved.
Will Campbell-Wroe, Stoll Charity Trustees Chief Executive has confirmed that the agreement to sell the land to Chelsea has been approved:
“The veterans are the heart of this organisation and we continue, as we have always done, to act in the best interests of the charity and… pic.twitter.com/7LE9MYduWc
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) October 17, 2023
“Veterans are the heart of this organization and we continue, as we always have, to act in the best interest of the organization and its beneficiaries. The Chelsea Owners Offer allows us to have greater certainty for residents and offer them support over a longer period of time. The facilities in Fulham are not fit for purpose in the long term and although it is difficult for residents, this is something we know we need to do to be able to support veterans in the future,” reads part of the statement from the charity.
It is yet unknown which stadium Chelsea will use while the reconstruction of Stamford Bridge is underway.