Mayor of London Sadiq Khan praised the proposed Chelsea stadium as he approved it for construction earlier today!

What a beginning of the week for Chelsea! Mayor Sadiq Khan today gave his full support and approved the planning application for new Stamford Bridge. It was a widely anticipated move after the project was greenlighted unanimously in January by Hammersmith and Fulham Council.

The mayor said today: “Having taken a balanced view of the application, I’m satisfied this is a high-quality and spectacular design which will significantly increase capacity within the existing site, as well as ensuring fans can have easy access from nearby transport connections.

“I’m confident this new stadium will be a jewel in London’s sporting crown and will attract visitors and football fans from around the world.”

© Herzog & de Meuron / Chelsea FC

Designed by Swiss team of Herzog & de Meuron, Chelsea’s proposed new Stamford Bridge is expected to give the phrase “temple of football” a more literal meaning. Monumental and unique aesthetically, the 60,000-seater is expected to cost £500 million ($613m).

© Herzog & de Meuron / Chelsea FC

Khan’s decision clears the way for construction, though having a valid planning permission is not everything, as AFC Wimbledon have found over the past year. Their application was also pushed forward by the mayor (in August), but to date they’ve been unable to break ground due to the old stadium at Plough Lane being analysed for potential historic value.

© Neil Vano

Should no similar issues arise in Chelsea’s case, works around Stamford Bridge may begin this year. It’s expected that Chelsea would then spend one more season at the current stadium and then relocate to Wembley for three long years, only to return in mid-2021.

The club's application also includes an investment of £12 million in community activities, such as employment and skills training, as well as a contribution of £3.75 million towards affordable housing in the borough.