Liverpool Football Club has unveiled stadium expansion plans that will see the club’s facility expanded by nearly 15,000 seats, as part of a wider £260m regeneration of the Anfield area.
A public consultation and exhibition will begin this week, with the club asking for local views on a planning application to be submitted in the summer.
Detailed design proposals have been created for the Main Stand, which could see 8,500 additional seats, taking its capacity to nearly 21,000.
Also to be exhibited will be outline proposals on the Anfield Road Stand, where capacity will be increased by around 4,800 seats.
In October 2012, Liverpool city council announced its plans to transform the Anfield area with a comprehensive regeneration plan. LFC committed to working with the city council and Your Housing Group in support of their delivery of the regeneration plan and also confirmed its preference was to expand Anfield Stadium.
Alongside the stadium expansion, the draft Anfield Spatial Regeneration Framework approved by Liverpool city council in February includes housing, retail, leisure and commercial space. Significant public realm will also be created around the stadium.
It is hoped that the project will be completed by 2018. Negotiations with property owners are underway with an agreement expected shortly.
Construction on the Main Stand could begin early next year, with a possible completion in time for the 2016/17 season.
Liverpool FC managing director Ian Ayre said: “As part of our proposed stadium redevelopment project, we have unveiled the detail of our ambitious plans for an expanded Main Stand and Anfield Road stand and are embarking on a consultation process which will shape and inform our planning application.
“We need to have the certainty that we can navigate the complex planning process and secure the support of the community, local homeowners, businesses and other key stakeholders. This consultation exercise is an important part of this process.
Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson said: “This is another important step in our ambitions to transform the Anfield area, bringing new jobs, investment and housing.
“The overall regeneration of Anfield will see £260m invested in the local community and will deliver hundreds of jobs – Liverpool Football Club’s proposals for the stadium are a key part of this.”
chris.berkin@estatesgazette.com
