Liverpool Granted Anfield Stadium Redevelopment Planning Permission by Council
Liverpool were granted planning permission by the city's council on Tuesday to redevelop Anfield.
The decision was made after a thorough meeting between the club and a local committee, which ascertained significant stand extensions can be implemented at one of football's most recognised stadiums.
Marc Waddington, Liverpool Echo city editor, provided news of the committee's decision:
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Total LFC previously posted an image of what the redeveloped arena will look like:
As reported by Waddington, the delegation visited Anfield before settling in the local town hall, where discussions took place. This meeting opened with a presentation from the club, who outlined their plans before committee members asked a series of questions surrounding the stadium's potential increase in size.
Those against the redevelopment were then provided with an opportunity to speak, before planning officers settled on their decision. Councillor John Macintosh took the opportunity to provide Liverpool with the all-important green light, allowing the club to add to Anfield's capacity of 45,552.
Such news comes at an excellent time for Liverpool. Brendan Rodgers' team finished second in the Premier League last season and qualified for the Champions League for the first time since 2009.
Appearances in Europe's elite competition have the potential to earn the Reds vast amounts of money—with up to £70 million on offer for the victors—meaning Liverpool can better facilitate the expansion if annual qualification is secured. Of course, it is highly unlikely the club drew up such plans with a Champions League budget factored in.
Some residents believe the plan to add more than 8,000 seats will have a negative impact on the local area, as reported by Waddington in an alternate article. The number of car parking spaces around Anfield Road aren't destined to increase under the current proposals, meaning additional traffic problems are likely for those who reside close to the stadium.
The council previously suggested a "marginal improvement in terms of general noise and disturbance for residents" will be possible due to a four-to-five meter "widening of the affected section of Anfield Road," as noted by Waddington.
A letter from Priory Residents Area indicated the proposal takes "little notice of the feelings of residents and does nothing to reduce parking and gridlock problems," per Waddington. Such problems certainly need to be balanced by the club, who will want to increase numbers through the gates without imposing on the community Liverpool is built upon.
Anfield will become the Premier League's third-largest capacity stadium with the increase. Manchester United's Old Trafford home continues to set the pace with 76,100 seats, while the Emirates sits in second with its 60,000 capacity. Wembley remains the country's largest sporting arena and can pack 90,000 spectators into matches for the English national team.
The increased gate will allow Liverpool to make extra money from each home match. Anfield already provides a cauldron-like atmosphere for visitors and is key to helping the side battle through tough matches. Rodgers will certainly be looking to a future with the club where the famous "You'll Never Walk Alone" verse can be sung at its loudest.
A young Liverpool team is being built, led by the likes of Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson, meaning the stadium increase will help embed a new era for the club.
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