The process of expanding the stadium has been a slow moving affair, but the Reds took another step forward yesterday by formally submitting a planning application to Liverpool city council outlining the redevelopment of Anfield.
The application is expected to be considered later this year, and if given the green light, work could begin as soon as the first quarter of next year with a target of it being completed in time for the 2016/2017 season. In order to better compete financially with their domestic rivals, stadium expansion has been targeted as a vital upgrade with the famous old stadium regularly unable to meet ticketing demands of the fans and the ground regularly selling-out to capacity — precious revenue which is being lost week-in and week-out.
Liverpool unveiled their plans back in April to increase the Main Stand by 8,500 seats to bring it to close to 21,000 seats, while the Anfield Road End would see an additional 4,800 extra seats added to bring the capacity of the ground up to 58,800 seats in total from the current 45,500. Along with the increase in seats, an expanded concourse, a new home for the Hillsborough Memorial and a number of other positive changes are outlined in the application that, according to the club, have been met with support by an “overwhelming majority of local residents, businesses and fans” after a “major public consultation”.
Former managing direction Ian Ayre — who was yesterday promoted to CEO by the Reds owners — hailed the progress as another step forward. “Over the past 18 months and as part of this approach, we have worked closely with the community, local residents, Liverpool City Council and Your Housing Group and we are delighted to be able to bring forward a planning application at this stage” he said. “A lot of good work has been done and we still have more work to achieve certainty; however, the planning application is another step in the right direction.”
Slowly, but surely, it’s coming along…
