Council resolves intention to acquire land for Stamford Bridge redevelopment

Chelsea received a boost in its mission to redevelop Stamford Bridge.

The Hammersmith and Fulham Council resolved that it's the council's intention to acquire a leasehold interest in the relevant land at Stamford Bridge for planning purposes. Chelsea wrote to the council to request it exercise its statutory powers after the owners of the land sought to prevent development by taking out an injunction. The development is the subject of rights-to-light injunctive proceedings in the High Court.

As detailed by the Press Association, the Crosthwaites, the family that took out the injunction, say the new stadium would threaten a "right to light." Given the physical constraints of the site, officers considered it wouldn't be possible to amend the approved development without it becoming "undeliverable."

By exercising its statutory powers and acquiring an interest of land for planning purposes, the Hammersmith and Fulham Council are engaging in section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 "to facilitate the delivery of the approved development and the realisation of the associated public benefits." The legal provision permits the development to be carried out "notwithstanding that it would interfere with an easement, covenant, or other third-party right," and "in order to override easements and other rights in respect of the land."