Much fanfare and optimism over at Battersea recently when the owners - rather too effortfully we thought - trumpeted their optimism over the start of work on the site. According to the developers, lots of people have expressed an interest in the residential properties that have been proposed. Work starts on the power station too which to many fans appears to close the door on a Chelsea stadium there. Not so. There is a legal obligation upon the owners to start repair and listed building work immediately. The infrastructure plans for the power station do not actually begin for some time which still leaves plenty of room for Chelsea to come to some arrangement with the Malaysians over the building's eventual use. Phase 1 is residential and doesn't overly impact the solution Chelsea have planned. The commercial element of the site is further away.
Our understanding is that an offer is on the table that includes Chelsea paying for the expensive and somewhat bloody awkward repair and restoration work but that the funds won't be forthcoming until a deal over the land swap with Stamford Bridge is complete and nobody
appears to expect a resolution until the summer. It would seem the matter boils down to whether the development company can deliver before the Malaysian masters get nervous. Who will blink first?
Why would the club offer to pay for repair and restoration of BPS without knowing if they can get planning approval? That's a lot of money for something that is fraught with obstacles. Also, those that have expressed an interest in purchasing properties on the site may not wish to be right next to a huge football stadium. Be nice to think Battersea is still an option but sadly can't see it happening.
ReplyDeleteYou should view these things collectively, not in isolation. You ought to expect the club to be addressing the issues surrounding planning permissions.
ReplyDeleteOkay. I'll take that on board. Thanks. Those "issues" are huge however, and that's before it goes public, with all the inevitable objections that will follow (not to mention a press campaign). Repair and restoration of BPS would be, what, £200m (I'm guessing)? They must feel pretty confident regarding planning if they've offered that, and I would have thought it would have leaked by now, if they were in discussion with the council. Hopefully you're right and it remains a possibility. Thanks for the update.
ReplyDeleteWhat site would you say is the clubs first choice ideally bps or earls court?
ReplyDeleteGood question. Purely on location EC would probably be first choice. But at BPS there is a real sense that something very special could be created. If they had a straight choice though - probably EC. And they are aware that would be most fans' first choice too.
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