Anfield stadium extension to get green light

Councillors are expected to approve Liverpool Football Club plans to redevelop Anfield stadium to increase capacity from 45,500 to 58,800.

Planning officers have recommended that the council approve the scheme at the next meeting of its planning committee.

In June the club applied for detailed planning consent to expand the Anfield Main Stand by 8,500 to 21,000 seats and outline consent for the expansion of its Anfield Road Stand by 4,800.

The scheme will include a two-storey podium and a cloister which would become the new home for the Hillsborough Memorial. There are also eight flats located under the stands.

The Main Stand will open onto a wide public space which has been designed to link the stadium and park while creating an area which is relevant and usable to the local community, particularly on non-match days.

Once approved, construction work on the Main Stand could begin early next year and with completion due in time for the 2016/17 season.

The project team includes architect KSS, planning consultant Turley, and landscape architect Planit IE.

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. The overall regeneration of the area will see £260m invested.