Craven Cottage plans backed by WSP get the green light for development

Supporters of Fulham FC, the club’s chairman and firms involved in the project planning process have rejoiced after Hammersmith and Fulham Council approved plans for a new two tier-stand which will increase capacity to just under 29,000.

It means work can go ahead on the redevelopment of the Riverside Stand at Craven Cottage with the existing stand demolished and replaced. Work is expected to begin on the stand in the summer of 2019.

The new stand will increase the overall capacity of Craven Cottage by 4,000 with proposals to also open up a previously closed riverside walk from Putney to Hammersmith. The new stand will include shops, cafes and nine short-stay apartments with a full timeline of scheduled works expected to be announced in due course. 

WSP has been involved in the planning process from the start and has provided engineering advice to the club for almost 20 years. The company also provided multi-discipline engineering services for the previous riverside scheme that was granted planning permission in 2013.

The engineering consulting firm started work on the latest design alongside Populous Architects in 2017 and is providing all engineering design services, including structural and geotechnical, building services, façade and fire engineering, environmental, security, transport planning and acoustics.

Commenting on the work, Peter Chipchase, director and head of stadium design at WSP, said: “It’s fantastic for WSP to be working again with Fulham Football Club. It continues our strengthening relationship with them and one of the world’s leading stadia architects and gives us the opportunity to showcase the depth of our capabilities across all engineering disciplines to help the club achieve their aspirations.  Stadia are wonderful pieces of architectural engineering which succeed when the full team work together in an open, creative and collaborative way. They enable us to stretch our imaginations and use cutting edge technologies to create the very best experience for the fans.”  

Fulham chairman Shahid Khan responded to the approval by saying, “Our goal for a brighter future for Fulham Football Club, the neighbourhood, our borough and all of London is now at our doorstep. “It wouldn't be possible if not for supporters and local residents who believed in our vision, so I hope they will join us in celebrating what will be a new and important chapter in the history of Fulham and Craven Cottage.”

The latest approval adds to the catalogue of stadia WSP has worked on around the world which include the Arthur Ashe and CitiField Stadia in New York, Levi’s stadium in California, BC Place Stadium in Vancouver and is currently working on Chelsea FC’s new Stamford Bridge proposals.