A sporting chance for stadiums
Last year was a benchmark year for stadiums in the UK. Sporting clubs across the country put plans in place to redevelop and renovate stadiums.
Here we take a look at some of those that had plans approved for redevelopment or are in the planning system to be discussed this year.
The Wimbledon covenants controversy
In February 2022, plans for an 8,000-seat stadium and 38 grass courts at Wimbledon were approved after attempts to block the development.
Last year was a benchmark year for stadiums in the UK. Sporting clubs across the country put plans in place to redevelop and renovate stadiums.
Here we take a look at some of those that had plans approved for redevelopment or are in the planning system to be discussed this year.
The Wimbledon covenants controversy
In February 2022, plans for an 8,000-seat stadium and 38 grass courts at Wimbledon were approved after attempts to block the development.
The Labour-led Merton Council overturned an opposition motion to enforce covenants which state the site must remain an open space.
The motion was amended to say that covenants, which were agreed in 1993, “need to be respected” but not enforced.
The plans to enhance the club’s “tennis in an English garden image” include almost six miles of roads on protected land and a show court stadium, which would be 95m long and 28m high.
Ramping up rugby
In September, Bradford submitted plans for one of the the largest permanently covered stadiums in England to become a new home for rugby league.
The 25,000-capacity stadium, which will be the new home for Bradford Bulls, is located on the site of the current Odsal Stadium (main image). It will have a regional skills centre and is expected to host other sports, such as boxing, as well as music, entertainment and cultural events.
The stadium will form part of a wider complex, including a training centre for men’s, women’s and wheelchair rugby league, a new complex for elite sports, a 105-bedroom hotel and five new sports pitches for rugby and football. A 592,000 sq ft solar farm will be built on site to provide renewable energy for the scheme.
Also in the same month, Leicester City Council approved Leicester City Football Club’s plans to boost the capacity at King Power Stadium by 8,000 seats to 40,000, and for the development of a new hotel and business centre, merchandise store, events arena and residential flats.
When finished, Leicester City Football Club will be the 10th largest among current Premier League sites.
Crystal-clear plans
In October, Crystal Palace FC accomplished its long-standing ambition to “extend and modernise Selhurst Park”.
The club’s planning application for the £100m revamp of Selhurst Park was approved by Croydon councillors.
The proposal involves increasing seating capacity by 8,225 seats to 34,000 in an extended main stand, as well as adding 260,000 sq ft of floor space internally and an additional 6,000 sq ft of restaurant and retail space.
In the same month, Landmarque Property Group and Ebbsfleet United FC filed plans for a major waterfront neighbourhood on the River Thames in Kent, including a new 8,000-seat football stadium.
Proposals for the 50-acre Northfleet Harbourside site, lodged with Gravesham Borough Council, include 3,500 new homes and 225,000 sq ft of shops, restaurants, bars and cafés. There will also be a new hotel, offices, training and R&D facilities, a community retail centre and further community and medical services.
If plans proceed, the stadium will serve as a multipurpose venue for additional sports fixtures throughout the year, as well as cultural, music and community events for up to 20,000 people.
A-list approvals
In November, Wrexham County Borough Council approved plans for a 5,500-capacity stand at the Racecourse Ground, home to Wrexham AFC, the football club owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
However, not surprisingly, the Hollywood stars were absent from the meeting.
They did issue a joint statement that said: “We would like to thank the planning committee for the positive decision they have made and all those who have been involved with our application.”
Most recently, plans for one of the highest-capacity stadiums in the Premier League were approved. Aston Villa Football Club’s Villa Park stadium was given the green light by Birmingham City Council in December. The plans, submitted on behalf of the club by Trivandi and Grimshaw Architects, include an enhanced North Stand capable of seating 50,065 people, an increase of 7,408.
The proposed plans also include a 33,000 sq ft mixed-use leisure building called Villa Live and 75,000 sq ft of public realm enhancements across and around the site.
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