Chelsea have submitted a planning application to rebuildStamford Bridge into a 60,000-seat stadium.

Chelsea have submitted a planning application to rebuild
Stamford Bridge into a 60,000-seat stadium.

The Premier League champions have consulted over the redevelopment of their West London home, which currently has a capacity of 41,600. And a statement on the club's official website on Tuesday confirmed plans would be submitted to Hammersmith and
Fulham council. Chelsea submit planning application to rebuild Stamford
Bridge into a 60,000-seat stadium. https://t.co/IZhuZmIhDV pic.twitter.com/mCSyTW8DR4
- ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 1, 2015

"A planning application for a new stadium at Stamford Bridge with an expanded seating capacity has been submitted," the statement read. "This follows a successful consultation process during which we received very helpful feedback.

"The main details of the application are: stadium seating capacity to expand from 41,600 to 60,000 spectators; an outstanding view of the stadium from every seat; an arena designed to create an exciting atmosphere; direct access to and from Fulham Broadway Station, making travel more efficient; stadium facilities improved for every area.

"The planning process will last beyond the end of the season; if the application is granted planning permission there will still be a lot of work to do before redevelopment can start, including obtaining various other consents." Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who bought the club in 2003, would finance the work, which has an estimated cost of £500 million. The planning application was submitted by Abramovich's Fordstam company on Nov. 19, Hammersmith and Fulham council said.

It is confirmation of Abramovich's commitment to the club, despite a woeful start to the season which sees Chelsea 14th after 14 games. There is plenty to do before a new stadium becomes a reality, not least finding a temporary home for around three seasons. The build would be complicated and more lengthy in duration if Chelsea were to remain on site, adding to the cost. Both Chelsea and Tottenham, who are building a new stadium at White Hart Lane, have reportedly been in discussions with the Football Association to play games at Wembley.The build would be complex and involve excavation, with the plan to lower the arena into the ground to achieve the capacity on a 12-acre site. The site is bordered by two train lines which must be built over.

A statement on the council's website read: "The application
comprises the demolition of the existing football stadiumwhich has a capacity of 41,600 seats and other buildings
within the ground, and the construction of a new larger football stadium with a 60,000-seat capacity.
"Other features include ancillary stadium-related uses including a club shop and museum, plus a separate restaurant/cafe use."

Chelsea's plans to redevelop the stadium -- their home since 1905 -- had been initially accepted by the localauthority in September, with the Blues keen to rival thecapacity of Premier League clubs such as Arsenal (60,260)and Manchester United (75,653).

In 2013, Chelsea's hopes of building a new super-stadiumon the site of the Earls Court Exhibition Centre were dashed,after the local council granted planning permission for more than 7,500 new homes on the site.
Chelsea also had plans to develop Battersea Power Stationa year earlier, but the Malaysian consortium given preferred
bidder status announced the completion of a £400 million deal for the site.

Information from the Press Association was used in this
report.