Earl’s Court housing complex not about to include Chelsea FC, insist developers
By Adrian Zorzut, Local Democracy Reporter
A major development at Earl’s Court will be one step closer to becoming reality next week after two west London councils confirmed they will be validating the plans.
Hammersmith and Fulham council said it would validate Earl’s Court Development Company’s (ECDC) application for 4,000 new homes and three cultural centres on September 16, while Kensington and Chelsea Council said it would do the same next week.
The west London councils, which are responsible for granting planning permission, stressed validating an application is merely confirming receipt of it and is the first step in the planning process. The plans will then be made available on the councils’ planning portals and open to a period of consultation.
It comes as the ECDC dismissed media reports Chelsea FC was looking to build a multi-use stadium on its west London site and iterated it had no plans to add one to its proposal. An ECDC spokesman said: “There is no plan within our plans for Chelsea FC to relocate to the Earls Court site.
“We have a fully detailed design, shortly to be registered with both local authorities, which prioritises the delivery of thousands of homes and jobs, culture and open space through a well-designed and considered masterplan which has evolved over four years of engagement.
“This will see development commence in 2026 with the first residents and occupiers moving in from 2030. This is, and will remain, our primary focus.”
The future of Stamford Bridge, Chelsea FC’s home ground, has come under renewed scrutiny after The Guardian claimed the club had held talks over leaving the stadium and moving to Earl’s Court to resolve their plans for a bigger arena. The publication reported discussions allegedly took place between the club, Transport for London (TfL) and real estate developer Delancey, who are stakeholders in ECDC.
It claimed Jason Gannon, the Chelsea chief executive, had had productive talks with the stakeholders and had identified the Lillie Bridge depot as the area on which to build. The publication added the club would need an agreement with Chelsea Pitch Owners, which holds the freehold of Stamford Bridge stadium and could block any attempt to move.
Increasing the capacity from 40,343 is a major priority for the owners and the difficulty of redeveloping the ground has led the club to look for a new site in west London.
But the ECDC says it is not in discussions with Chelsea FC and that the developer is regularly approached by organisations, investors and potential occupiers who express an interest in being part of the future of Earls Court. Chelsea FC have been contacted for comment.
Subject to approval, work on the Earl’s Court site is expected to start in 2026. In addition to the 4,000-plus homes, ECDC is proposing amenities including three cultural venues, new gardens and a 4.5-acre urban park.
Of the homes, 35 per cent are expected to be affordable. The first phase will consist of 1,000 homes, a cultural centre, workspace and 20 acres of public realm. ECDC also said it projects the potential redevelopment will add £1.2 billion to the economy, and £100 million to the annual spend locally.
Pictured top: Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge home (Picture: LDRS)