Cherries stadium expansion to 'deliver for community'

Plans to expand AFC Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium will deliver "not just for the club but the wider community", the local authority that approved the proposals has said.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council unanimously approved the Premier League club's plans to increase the stadium's capacity to more than 20,000 seats on Friday.

The Cherries will play in European competition for the first time in their history next season, after finishing sixth in the league - their highest ever placing.

BCP Council leader Millie Earl said the club's progress on the pitch had "now been matched" by the "significant milestone off it". Redevelopment work is expected to begin in the summer.

The Vitality is currently the smallest stadium in the top division of English football, with a current capacity of about 11,300.

Under the club's proposals, the south stand would be demolished and rebuilt, while the north and east stands would be expanded and corners infilled to provide more than 9,000 additional seats and hospitality facilities.

"What a week for AFC Bournemouth," Earl said, after the club qualified for next season's Europa League.

She said the club's success was a "source of pride for many" and the stadium redevelopment would "ensure" its investment would be "kept at the heart of town".

"The redevelopment of the stadium will create jobs for local people, enhance our national profile, attract visitors, give more fans a chance to secure tickets and will increase local spending in the town," Earl said.

"This work has helped shape a scheme that delivers not just for the club, but for the wider community, and ensures that the benefits are felt far beyond matchdays."

During the planning process, some local residents had raised concerns about the impact on neighbouring homes, parking and congestion.

Earl said the council had "worked proactively and constructively" with the club to "make sure these are heard, and to secure improvements for the local area".