Chelsea take steps to buy Kingsmeadow stadium

The owner of AFC Wimbledon, the Dons Trust, has exchanged contracts with Chelsea FC for the sale of the League One club’s Kingsmeadow stadium in southwest London.

Chelsea want the facility to serve as the home of their youth and ladies’ teams, although the transaction will not be finalised until a number of conditions are met.

Among them, the Dons Trust must secure planning consent for a new home. The organisation is proposing to redevelop the Plough Lane greyhound stadium in Wimbledon, although the plans were delayed in March after authorities in Wandsworth opposed the scheme.

A new consultation is due to take place, with a decision expected later this year.

AFC Wimledon’s new ground, if approved, will have enough space for 20k fans. Funds raised through the sale of Kingsmeadow will be used to bring the plans to fruition.

According to a BBC report, ACF Wimbledon chief exec Erik Samuelson said of the deal: “The proceeds of this deal are an essential part of the financing of the new stadium.

“The vision of a return to Merton, with all the community benefits it also brings, is now becoming very real.”