Proposals to further develop Sheffield United's Bramall Lane stadium were given the go-ahead this afternoon (2nd November).
Councillors approved the Blades plans to extend the South Stand which are part of a continued long-term business strategy for the club.
The South Stand proposals see:
An additional tier of seating which with the proposed re-development of the Kop would increase overall ground capacity to approximately 44,000
Purpose built exhibition and conference facilities within the stand, which will provide additional accommodation for the various community activities run by the Blades award-winning United Initiative team
New facilities for supporters, including corporate facilities
Additional commercial and banqueting facilities
BladesPlayer subscribers can click here to see a 4 minute fly-through presentation.
Executive director Jason Rockett said: "This is good news for Sheffield United and the city. Our focus remains firmly on achieving success on the pitch and the planned stadium developments will contribute to our continued long term strategy to drive off-the-field income for a sustainable business supporting further investment in the first team squad.
"The next steps will be to firm up on design and delivery always ensuring we minimise potential disruption to supporters."
Strengthening the UEFA accredited ground's position as one of the best in Yorkshire, the proposals have the added benefit of bringing the club in line with FIFA requirements at a time when it is supporting Sheffield's bid to be host city in England's application to stage the 2018 World Cup.
Bramall Lane is already an international stadium, having successfully staged England under 21 fixtures. Earlier this year Sheffield United received the go-ahead from Sheffield City Council for the redevelopment of the Kop which will include additional seating, the removal of columns, a new concourse, new executive boxes, community and educational facilities, as well as improved services for disabled supporters to be built in the Evolution Corner Stand.
On the back of a highly successful Blades Enterprise Centre, United want to build a second business enterprise centre between the Kop and the South Stand, providing an opportunity to companies that have outgrown the existing centre to expand and remain at Bramall Lane.
The proposals for the South Stand were approved by the city centre, south and east planning board.
