Chelsea: Battersea has potential to become one of the world’s most iconic football stadiums

Chelsea Football Club, in conjunction with its property development partner Almacantar, has announced the submission of an offer to acquire Battersea Power Station and its surrounding land.

The ageing power station, located on the south bank of the River Thames, was decommissioned in 1983 and since that time has remained largely unused with numerous regeneration plans failing to materialise.

The new announcement  by Chelsea signals the club’s long-term goal of developing one of London's most recognisable landmarks into a 60,000-capacity stadium while retaining the current building's iconic features.

Included in Chelsea's plans for the 39-acre site is the development of a town centre with street-level retail shops, affordable housing and offices as well as a substantial contribution to the area's transport links.

The Premier League team currently plays in the 40,000-capacity Stamford Bridge in Fulham.

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A statement on Chelsea's official club website reads:

'Battersea Power Station is one of London's most famous buildings and has the potential to become one of the most iconic football stadiums in the world.

We are not the only interested parties and there is no certainty that we will be successful. We also appreciate that we have many significant hurdles to address if we are 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.

Working with architects and planning experts we have developed a plan to preserve all the significant aspects of Battersea Power Station. The four iconic chimneys and wash towers along with the Grade II* listed west turbine hall and control room will be restored and retained in their original locations and provide a unique architectural backdrop to a world-class stadium with a capacity of around 60,000 seats.

Following feedback from fans, our initial plans include a 15,000-all seated one-tier stand behind the south goal, likely to be the biggest one-tier stand in football. Also as suggested by many fans, the stadium proposed is rectangular in shape with four separate stands. The design includes a bigger family area and more room for disabled supporters.

As well as a new home for our club, the development would include a town centre with substantial street-level retail shops, affordable housing and offices - all of which would benefit Wandsworth and bring a significant number of permanent jobs to the area. We would also make a significant contribution towards the Northern Line Extension, a new high-volume transport link proposed for the area.'