The plans for enabling works which will help in the expansion of the Vitality Stadium have been approved this morning.
The Eastern BCP planning committee have given the plans the green light after being recommended to approve them.
The plans include a new perimeter fence including new turnstiles, the planting of Cherry trees outside the ground and a new broadcasting compound.
Speaking to afcb.co.uk, Owner Bill Foley has said: “This is an exciting and important moment for the club. Our proposed new stadium reflects not only our ambition on the pitch, but also our commitment to investing in the community. The project will deliver long-term benefits for supporters, local residents, and the wider region of the BCP area.”
It was vital the plans were agreed so that the club could start the process of the stadium expansion with the aim to have phase one of the project completed by August 2026.
Phase one being the building of the new 7,500-seater South Stand and filling in the corners of the stadium.
The enabling works are important as part of these works is to start laying down the foundations for the new South stand.
Details about the enabling works had been revealed in multiple addendums added to the committee hearing.
The commencement of the enabling works means a loss of parking however the club and BCP council have made contingency plans to help supporters with the reduction in parking spaces.
This was the main concern brought up in the meeting this morning with the fear of supporters ‘unsocially parking’ in crowded streets.
Another concern was the change to the cycle-walk path behind the South Stand which will cause difficulty for users of the path during the enabling works.
The works could begin in the week beginning the 9th February and hope to end in the week beginning 17th August.
The enabling works are going to be carried out during the final months of the 2025/26 Premier League season without affecting the capacity of the stadium.
The enabling works being approved is a monumental part of the Vitality Stadium expansion which brings process to the next step.
The Vitality Stadium is the smallest stadium in the Premier League with a current capacity of 11,307.
Taking the capacity up to 20,000 would make it the second smallest in the league; having 3000 more seats than Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium.
The proposed 20,000-seater stadium is set to be completed by August 2027 with the original plans released in July 2025.
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