AFC Bournemouth stadium expansion set for approval

Plans to expand AFC Bournemouth's stadium are set to be approved when they go before a planning committee next week.

The Vitality Stadium currently does not meet Premier League compliance standards and the club is seeking to increase the number of seats from 11,286 to more than 20,000.

The proposals involve replacing one stand and extending and upgrading the others.

The club would also pay for upgrades at nearby Pokesdown railway station, a controlled parking zone, and improvements to cycle and pedestrian routes.

Under the plans, the south stand would be demolished and replaced while the north and east stands would be expanded and corners infilled to provide an additional 9,120 general admission seats and hospitality.

The phased works would create a new perimeter fence line, turnstiles, covered fan zone and ticket office, refreshment kiosks, outside broadcasting area, media facilities and secure away team coach parking.

The new south stand would have a capacity of 6,800 seats with 60 elevated wheelchair places, with a tunnel for grounds staff and emergency access in the south-east corner.

The north stand extension plans provide an extra 1,200 seats, while the east stand has an additional 1,800, along with a central camera platform and press seating.

A big screen will be installed in the north-east corner of the stadium.

A Changing Places facility, sensory room, 10 new accessible lifts, bike parking and 590 parking spaces are also in the proposals.

The club would pay £110,000 for station improvements as part of a Section 106 agreement, which requires developers to contribute towards local infrastructure.

The agreement will also cover 2,000 parking permits for four years, including signage and enforcement, and provide £80,000 towards off-site walking and cycling improvements.

A consultation attracted 58 objections and 129 letters of support.

Concerns included traffic, parking, property value impacts and noise, while supporters highlighted community and economic benefits, improved facilities and access to matches.

A report to BCP Council's Eastern Area Planning Committee, which is due to meet on 22 May, concluded: "The benefits of the scheme outweigh the adverse impacts on neighbouring amenity."