Victory for Chelsea FC in fight over new £1bn stadium

THE billion-pound development of Chelsea Football Club’s new stadium moved a step closer last night after the council sided with the club amid a row with neighbours who complained the project would block their daylight.

The Premier League side has agreed a temporary lease on land following a full cabinet meeting of Hammersmith and Fulham Borough Council yesterday evening.

It overturns a High Court injunction, which was imposed when local resident Nicholas Crosthwaite, 69, and his family argued their right to light would be impaired by the redevelopment of the west London stadium. The move stalled the development of the 60,000-capacity arena.

However, the new agreement will see the council use a loophole in Section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act to buy land at Stamford Bridge and temporarily lease it back to the club, rendering the injunction invalid.

The Crosthwaite family, who have lived in Stamford Cottages, Fulham, for 50 years, are now entitled to compensation from the council.

Workmen can now begin the £1billion development of Stamford Bridge, which is 122 years old and one of the oldest stadiums in the world.

Only a judicial review can stop the work now.

Roman Abramovich’s club has been locked in the dispute since March 2015.

Many of Crosthwaite’s neighbours on the street, where properties are sold for upwards of £1.18million, have already accepted offers of compensation.