Armed forces who feared they would be left homeless after Chelsea planned to demolish their homes in a bid to expand its stadium have breathed a sigh of relief after being told they will be rehoused.
Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions is based in the shadow of the Premier League club’s west London stadium, and has been standing for more than a century, housing around 100 veterans who have served in Korea, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan.
Veterans, however, were left fearing they would be made homeless or ‘binned in an old people’s home’ after Chelsea’s £80million bid for the site was accepted last October.
Under the redevelopment plans to expand Stamford Bridge, the majority of the 157 veteran homes would be knocked down, with Stoll, the charity that runs the site, unable to confirm veterans would definitely be rehoused in the area.
It led to dozens of servicemen and women, some as old as 95 and some suffering from mental health issues such as PTSD fearing the would be ‘totally abandoned’.
Yet in a huge victory for the veterans at the site, it has now been confirmed they will be rehomed a stone’s throw away in a brand new estate close to Fulham’s riverside. Stoll will also maintain 20 of the existing homes.
Veterans including Paul White (pictured) previously voiced concerns about moving out of their flats, but now the military pensioners will be rehomed nearby
Chelsea have completed an £80m deal to buy the Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions (circled) next to Stamford Bridge
It has now been confirmed that the veterans living at Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions will be rehomed a short walk away. Pictured: Veteran Rodney Hood with deputy leader of Fulham and Hammersmith Council Ben Coleman
Roger Smith, 55, who worked as an army chef between 1984 and 1998 serving in Northern Ireland, the Gulf War and the Falklands, said he was ‘extremely grateful’ for the U-turn.
He told MailOnline: ‘I am so grateful and really humbled. Personally this is a massive relief. It is a huge weight off my shoulders as an individual.
‘I am mostly grateful but also proud thinking that if veterans are still living there in 100 years time we will have helped with a new chapter. We do have a real sense of achievement.
‘Now I don’t have to worry about having somewhere to live next year I can address other issues in my life such as my mental health.’
Rodney Hood, 54, said it was ‘good news’ that the community was being kept together.
The veteran, who served for 12 and half years touring Northern Ireland, Germany, Cyprus and Norway said: ‘I am glad the community is going to be kept together and not scattered across the country because it provides so much support.
‘It is good that Stoll have finally seen the need to keep the community together – it has taken them a long to time to realise but it is good they have.
‘It is good news. There might be some teething problems and it won’t be exactly the same but hopefully we will have procured a legacy for veterans for the next 100 or 200 years.’
Veterans had feared they would be made homeless or ‘binned in an old people’s home’ after Chelsea’s £80million bid
Veterans had feared they would be made homeless or ‘binned in an old people’s home’ after Chelsea’s £80million bid. Pictured: Councillor Coleman speaking to veterans living on the estate
The charity, which runs the site supporting vulnerable veterans, previously insisted no one from the estate would be made homeless – and support would be provided throughout the process
Another veteran, who asked to remain anonymous, said: ‘The vast majority of people are tired of being overlooked by the government and being treated by the corporate world as an afterthought.
‘However with the intervention of Ben Coleman, both Chelsea and Stoll have placed community requirements and the human interest story at the forefront, rather than a secondary or consequential effect of a major corporate decision.
‘For me, being a veteran and someone who cares deeply about other human beings, we know there can be bumps in the road with these things but we have now been offered a safety net.’
The veteran, who served in the forces for 18 years, said the ‘heartwarming’ decision had provided ‘hope to us all’.
He added: ‘Hopefully this will provide a precedent for people in the future so corporations think of other ways of solving their issues, rather than profit only.
‘Residents here are slightly still in shock. A few months ago we were facing total abandonment and total fear but now their spirits have been lifted up.’
Veterans are expected to move at some point in 2025 onto the brand new King’s Road Park estate in Fulham.
Ben Coleman, deputy leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, put the decision to rehouse the veterans within the borough in motion, speaking with both Chelsea and Stoll.
Chelsea’s current stadium capacity is 41,000, but this is set to increase to 60,000 following the proposed expansion
Roger Smith, 55, who worked as an army chef between 1984 and 1998, served in Northern Ireland , the Gulf War and the Falklands, said he was ‘extremely grateful’ for the U-turn
The charity currently houses around 100 veterans who have served in Korea, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan
He asked to Chelsea to pause the sale until the veteran’s charity had found another alternative site for those living in Sir Oswald Mansions.
‘My objective throughout all of this was to ensure that no veterans would be made homeless and to enable the community to stay together – now that is happening,’ Mr Coleman told MailOnline.
‘These are people who sacrificed for our country. We have asked them to put their lives on the line and as a result they have physical as well as mental injuries.
‘They have fought in Afghanistan, the Falklands, Iraq and earlier wars, and we have a duty to look after them just as we have a duty to look after all serving men and women.’
Last week Chelsea and Stoll charity trustees confirmed that the veterans would be rehoused in the borough if they so wish.
Chelsea CCO Jason Gannon said: ‘We are delighted to increase our footprint at Stamford Bridge and take a significant step towards ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the club.
‘We appreciate the opportunity to work with Stoll throughout a competitive tender process and we are pleased to help ensure those veterans that wish to remain inside the Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham will be able to do so.’
Stoll chief executive, Will Campbell-Wroe, added: ‘The completion of the sale marks a transformational moment for Stoll, and forms a central part of our long standing mission to house and support many more veterans to lead fulfilling, independent lives both now and in the future.
Chelsea has been eyeing up the site for several years, after plans were first launched when the club was under Roman Abramovich
If the redevelopment takes place, Chelsea would be expected to play away from Stamford Bridge for over four years
The charity previously said the sale of the site would secure its ‘future and sustainability’
‘We understand that any transition to a new home will be challenging for many of our residents, and we are committed to providing every resident with an enhanced programme of financial, wellbeing and rehousing support – as we have been throughout this process.’
Stamford Bridge’s current capacity is 41,000, but the planned expansion is set to increase this figure to 60,000.
This would put Chelsea’s stadium into the top six in the Premier League in terms of size, with only Manchester United, Tottenham, West Ham, Liverpool and Arsenal currently having grounds that can hold more than 60,000 supporters.
If the redevelopment takes place, Chelsea would be expected to play away from Stamford Bridge for over four years.
Mr Coleman added: ‘I’m extremely grateful to Chelsea for agreeing to do so and for the way they have worked with us to find a solution that puts the interests of the vets first.
‘It has been my privilege to champion the vets who served our country and we are delighted no veteran will now be made homeless and the entire community can stay together in Fulham, where they belong and where we are proud to have them.’
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