‘Once-in-a-lifetime’ Leicester stadium plan approved
Leicester City Council has unanimously approved Leicester City Football Club’s plans to boost the capacity at King Power Stadium by 8,000 seats, and to develop a new hotel and business centre, merchandise store, events arena and residential flats.
The club, which described its proposal as a “once-in-a-lifetime” development, will expand the capacity of its ground to 40,000 seats, making it the 10th largest among current Premier League sites.
The approved masterplan also includes outline planning permission for a 220-room hotel and business centre, a club retail outlet, a 234-home residential tower, a multi-storey car park, office and public realm.
Leicester City Council has unanimously approved Leicester City Football Club’s plans to boost the capacity at King Power Stadium by 8,000 seats, and to develop a new hotel and business centre, merchandise store, events arena and residential flats.
The club, which described its proposal as a “once-in-a-lifetime” development, will expand the capacity of its ground to 40,000 seats, making it the 10th largest among current Premier League sites.
The approved masterplan also includes outline planning permission for a 220-room hotel and business centre, a club retail outlet, a 234-home residential tower, a multi-storey car park, office and public realm.
Councillors at Leicester’s planning meeting were concerned about the height of the hotel and residential towers proposed in the outline application, as the height of the tower may affect the enjoyment of sports spectators in the club.
However, the councillors decided to revisit the matter when the club submits more detailed applications detailing the plans for both hotel and residential developments. The club has five years to submit the reserved matters applications.
Councillor Vijay Singh Riyait, chair of the planning and development control committee, said: “This is a significant development not only for the club but for the city, which will provide… an enhanced destination and further development of the area, which I think has been needed for a long time. It also contributes to the cultural and social life of this city, which I think is also an important consideration.”
The club said more than 1,000 jobs would be created during the construction period, with another 1,000 permanent positions across facilities on the site.
It worked on the proposal with consultancy Turley and architect KSS.
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