Chelsea Football Club has submitted a bid to acquire the iconic site of Battersea Power Station, it has been announced.
The club has earmarked the site for a new 60,000-seater stadium and has put forward a bid with its property development partner, Almacantar.
Chelsea said it would retain all the significant aspects of the power station, which is one of the capital’s most distinctive buildings.
“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,” said a statement from the club.
“Our joint bid was submitted in accordance with the sales process established by the joint administrators for the site. The process could run for a number of months.
“We are not the only interested parties and there is no certainty that we will be successful.”
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Should Chelsea acquire Battersea Power Station, it could see the club move away from its Stamford Bridge home. But the club will be unable to move without the approval of the owners of the land beneath their current ground, fan-led group Chelsea Pitch Owners (CPO).
The club failed to convince the CPO to sell it back the freehold at an extraordinary general meeting in October.
Chelsea said it has developed a plan to “preserve all significant aspects of Battersea Power Station”, including the four chimneys and wash towers, as well as the Grade II-listed west turbine hall and control room, which will be restored and retained.
The statement continued: “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.”
Conservative MP for Chelsea & Fulham Greg Hands tweeted: “I would be unhappy to see Chelsea go to Battersea, but let’s see what develops, these are early days.”
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