Chelsea have moved closer to starting the £1billion redevelopment of Stamford Bridge after securing a council deal to bypass the right to light injunction row which has threatened to block their plans.

The Crosthwaite family, whose Stamford Cottages home backs on to the ground, have argued that Chelsea's 60,000-seater expansion would block light from entering their home.

But on Monday night Hammersmith and Fulham Council agreed to compulsorily purchase the air rights over part of Stamford Bridge and the railway line which separates the stadium from the Crosthwaites' home.

In doing so, they take responsibility for the land and ensure it is no longer subject to the family's High Court legal challenge. They will lease the land back to Chelsea and Network Rail to allow the redevelopment to take place.

The family cannot take the council to the High Court.

The deal was agreed within five minutes at a meeting at Hammersmith Town Hall on Monday evening.

The Crosthwaite family, whose Stamford Cottages home backs on to the ground, could now pursue a judicial review having said they will 'take all legal action available' in a letter from their solicitors.

That would challenge the way in which the council's decision was made. As it stands, though, work can begin on the redevelopment unless further action is taken.

Chelsea had made it clear they feared there was 'a very real risk the stadium would not be redeveloped' if they could not get around the Crosthwaites' High Court injunction.

The family complained that the club's new 60,000-seat 'cathedral of football' design would block out sunlight from their home.

Rose Crosthwaite, who lives at the Stamford Cottages property with parents Lucinda and Nicolas and brother Louis, told the BBC that their 'sunlight and daylight will be seriously affected' if the redevelopment goes ahead.

Chelsea are believed to have offered a six-figure sum, above the market value, to strike an agreement with the complainants – but all offers were rejected.

A Chelsea spokesman said: 'We are grateful to Hammersmith and Fulham Council for their decision, which is the latest step on our journey towards redeveloping of our historic home.

'The new stadium at Stamford Bridge will ensure the long-term future of the club in Fulham, create a world-class match-day experience for fans and allow us to increase our investment in the local community.

'It will be a new destination that compares to other great stadia around the globe and strengthen London's iconic status as the world's leading city of sport.'

The Premier League champions hope to move out of Stamford Bridge in 18 months' time, spending four years on the road before moving into the new stadium in 2014.

Fifty local properties were identified as being affected by the rights to light issue and Chelsea expect to agree terms with the other 48 aside from 1-2 Stamford Cottages – with over 60 per cent already sorted.

Chelsea have also agreed to buy 36 of the 38 long leaseholds at the Chelsea Village Court apartments that back on to the ground and will be demolished in the redevelopment.

Source: Daily Mail