Leicester City’s owners have been given the go-ahead to start redeveloping the King Power Stadium and the land around it.
The Thai owners want to want to add another tier to the stadium’s East Stand and add almost 8,000 seats, taking capacity to 40,000.
They also want to add new hospitality suites in the lower part of the extension which would wrap around the North and South stands like a big bubble. The plans have been years in the making and had been held up for several months during the planning process, but councillors on Leicester City Council have finally given them the nod.
A decision was originally due in February and the council missed further deadlines in April and July, with the council saying delays were common in such complex planning cases.
A second outline application has also been given the go-ahead for a 220-room hotel, a fanzone, 20-storey block of 234 new homes, a new club shop, a 6,000-seat indoor arena and a multi-storey car park.
The club will have five years to start work on the stadium expansion and five years to submit a full planning document for phase two of the scheme.
Members of Leicester City Council's planning committee said plans would bring employment, a boost to the economy and improve Leicester’s standing as a city and as a club.
Coun Teresa Aldred said: “For me to be able to see so many more people be able to access football, I really welcome the seating.
“I’ve looked at [the plan] and it think it is absolutely beautiful. There’s going to be so many children out there and so many families who are now going to be able to go to Leicester City football. I think they are an amazing club. I wholeheartedly welcome this application.”
The club wants to double the number of non-sporting events such as concerts that can be held at the ground from the current five per year, and increase the maximum numbers attending those events from 36,000 to 48,950.
