AFC Bournemouth submit expansion plans to increase Vitality Stadium capacity to 20,000
The full application includes plans for renovated stands and new facilities
AFC Bournemouth submit full expansion plans for vitality stadium, which are “essential” to the club’s continued growth.
The club was given planning permission to begin the enabling works on January 22 in a vote 8-0 with one councillor abstaining. This full application will increase the capacity of the grounds to 20,000 as well as the stadium and its facility.
A design and access statement that was part of the application was created on behalf of AFC Bournemouth by Savills and Stadium Structures.
The statement details the renovations to the stands the club is going to be making to increase capacity. The expansion plans show that the south stand will be demolished and replaces with close to 6800 seats which includes 60 elevated wheelchair spaces.
The east and north stands will also be renovated to provide additional seating.
Renovations in the west stand will focusing on improving the hospitality space with some reorganisation of seating.
A new fanzone will also be created, spectators will be encouraged to socialise before the game in the zone where there will be the opportunity for popup food and drinks. The ticket office will also be relocated to the fanzone.
Concerns about parking on matchday, particularly on street parking in surrounding street, have been raised by residents. A transport assessment plan created by Steer and was also submitted as part of the application.
The assessment sets out the clubs plans to improve the existing issues with parking which includes controlled parking zones (CPZ) on matchdays, pre-booked parking and formal pick up and drop off arrangements.
Fans who travel to matches in cars will be restricted to prebooked car parks, with the CPZ in place from 10am to 9pm on matchdays meaning parking would be restricted to permit holders only. Discussions are also underway to secure off site parking at the sovereign centre.
BCP Council were unable to comment on the plans as the application is live.
Bournemouth East MP, Tom Hayes said “We’re a footballing town, AFC Bournemouth’s expansion will help the club to go from strength to strength, and I hope the traffic and parking mitigations will reassure people with any concerns.”