A BCP councillor has praised the decision to approve a lease for land at Kings Park in the first step of AFC Bournemouth’s stadium expansion application.
Councillor Mike Cox brought forward the cabinet’s recommendation to the full council that proposed two new leases for the stadium and car park land around the Vitality Stadium.
The plan was approved 44-2 and means that although the council still own the land at Kings Park, AFC Bournemouth’s stadium development application process can get under way.
Cllr Cox told Buzz News: “It will still need to go through the proper planning processes, but I hope the plot they’ve got will be acceptable for the [planning committee] residents.
“This decision will enable council officers to negotiate with the football club, as we’ve agreed to put a long lease in place so the club can invest in the stadium and expand it to be that of a proper premiership club.”
Plans for the stadium include the demolition and rebuilding of the south stand increasing capacity, extension of the west stand, enlarged outside broadcast area and away team coach parking.
This proposed reinvestment comes as JP Morgan Chase announced it’ll invest up to £350 million in its Bournemouth campus.
On the pair of proposed investments, Cllr Cox said: “We’re obviously all in favour of big investment.
“I’m very proud that we are beginning to turn Bournemouth around, AFC Bournemouth as well as JP Morgan are two big investments in the area.”
The consultation period for AFC Bournemouth’s stadium redevelopment concludes at the end of this month, before it is put before a committee and a decision is made.
Firefighters tackle blaze at Poole trading estate