Furious retired armed forces veterans say they are being forced out of their homes by a controversial deal to redevelop Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium.
Military pensioners living next door to the ground in west London claim the Premier League club is prioritising money over their welfare – and accused the military charity housing them of ‘selling out’.
Chelsea has agreed to purchase an area of land measuring 1.2 acres next to the stadium for £50m as part of its planned £2billion expansion from the Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation.
It will allow the club to increase capacity of Stamford Bridge to 60,000 from its current 41,000 seats.
But it will mean the 100 people living in the three-storey block of flats in the heart of Fulham, West London, having to move out.
The Stoll Foundation, which was set up after the First World War to house disabled veterans, has not told residents where they will be re-housed leaving many afraid for the future.
They have launched a nine-week consultation period with all residents to gauge their opinion on the planned sale.
Furious retired armed forces veterans say they are being forced out of their homes by a controversial deal to redevelop Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium. Above: Pictured: (Left to Right) Edward Ranson 34, Alan Parmenter, 67, Ian Keith-Spencer and Niel McKenna, 39
Military pensioners living next door to the ground in west London claim the Premier League club of prioritising money over their welfare – and accused the military charity housing them of ‘selling out’
But many of the of those living in the one- and two-bedroom flats believe the sale will go ahead regardless of their objections.
‘Most of us are vulnerable and do not want to be moving at our time of life,’ said 67-year-old Alan Parmenter.
‘We really do feel that we are being sold out and money is more important than our lives.’
Alan, who served in the Royal Green Jackets for 32 years and fought in the Falklands War, added: ‘We have all served our country, but we do feel money talks and the charity are more concerned with the money than us.’
Another army veteran Ian Keith-Spencer said:’ I’m 73 years old and do not want to move. The charity have told me they are under no obligation to find me somewhere else to live.
‘How am I supposed to go flat hunting at my age? It is very upsetting for all us and there is a real strength of feeling that we are being dumped on.
‘I’m on a short-term tenancy and they have made it clear that they can ask me to leave when they want. So many people are worried about the future.’
Chelsea, owned by billionaire Todd Boehly and Clear Lake Capital, have been looking to expand for several years to keep pace with other Premier League clubs such as Arsenal and Spurs who have moved to new stadiums
Former owner Roman Abramovitch had struck a deal with the charity to purchase the land next to the stadium but the deal fell through and the Russian billionaire sold the club following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Stoll Foundation had 13 bids for the site and reached an agreement with Chelsea.
As part of the deal 20 flats in a modern block on the two acres site will remain.
But the main living accommodation surrounding a courtyard garden will be demolished to make way for the stadium expansion.
Flags from regiments that residents formerly served with are pinned to the windows of many of the flats.
Chelsea has agreed to purchase an area of land measuring 1.2 acres next to the stadium for £50m as part of its planned £2billion expansion from the Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation. Above: Sir OSwald Stoll Mansions
It it will mean the 100 people living in the three-storey block of flats in the heart of Fulham, West London, having to move out
The Stoll Foundation, which was set up after the First World War to house disabled veterans, has not told residents where they will be re-housed leaving many afraid for the future
A poster inside the resident’s meeting hall demonstrates the depth of feeling against the proposed sale.
It shows various regiments formed in a defensive square with the words S.O.S Save Our Stoll.
One resident, who asked not to be named said,’ ‘We are being sold down the river. Big money has talked and we are the victims.
‘No matter what Stoll say and they are not telling us anything other than there is a consultation we will be the ones that lose out.
‘The flats are in the perfect position for the residents, many of whom are very vulnerable. We are close to two hospitals and there is great shopping and transport facilities. Where will they put us. It is so convenient living here with all the great facilities on our doorstep. Many people here have regular hospital appointment and the hospitals in Fulham and Chelsea are very easy to get to.
‘Many of us have been here for years and there is a great sense of community and pride. Are we all just going to have to go into rented accommodation to see out the rest of our lives.
‘We feel this is our home, and I do think most of the residents will say no to the move.’
The planned £2bnre-development will be subject to planning permission from Hammersmith and Fulham Council and could take up to four years.
The team – who finished 12th in the Premier League – would have to find an alternative venue to play their home matches with neighbouring Fulham seen as the most likely option.
Stoll have said the sale of the site would secure the ‘future and sustainability’ of the charity.
Chelsea’s long-planned renovations to Stamford Bridge received a key boost on Wednesday
In the interim Chelsea may look to groundshare with neighbours Fulham at Craven Cottage
Co-controlling owner Todd Boehly put aside funds in the club’s £4.25bn takeover for the work
They said £10m was needed to refurbish the flats up to modern standards – money they do not have.
The charity has four other sheltered housing sites in and around West London at Chiswick, Feltham and Acton. There is also a site in Aldershot.
Residents in Fulham are in shock that the Stoll charity would consider moving everyone out.
Mr Parmenter, who also served nine tours in Northern Ireland, said he suffers from a heart condition and has limited mobility.
‘I just want to stay here as this has been my home for 13 years and I am very settled. We are all friends and want to stay together.’
Many of the residents are in their late 60s and 70s.
The youngest is 34-year-old Edward Ranson, a former RAF dog handler who suffered a catastrophic stroke when he was just 21 years old.
The club are keen to bring their stadium in line with that of their Premier League rivals and increase the capacity by close to 20,000 seats
He is partially blind and has lost the power of speech but indicated he wanted to stay at the Fulham site.
Former Para Neil McKenna, who lost an eye while on active duty said:’ This is out home and we want to stay.’
A spokesman for the Stoll Foundation said residents were being consulted over the planned sale with the results to be made known in the autumn.
The spokesman said any other details about alternative accommodation would not be discussed until the consultation period had ended.
Stoll chair of trustees Ray Lock said: ‘The board assessed many factors, and concluded that the Chelsea FC ownership group offered the strongest bid in terms of how it would support Stoll and our residents during the process, its financial offer which would secure the future sustainability of the organisation and its understanding of the charity and the importance of continuing to have a positive impact on veterans’ lives for generations to come.’
