Villa Park expansion plans approved by council

Reports said the expansion was needed to allow the stadium to host matches in the 2028 Euros

An extension to Villa Park's North Stand has officially been given the green light by council planners.

Aston Villa sought permission to add nearly 6,000 seats to the stand, taking the stadium's capacity to almost 49,000.

The club's revised vision is to "adapt, reuse and expand" the existing stand rather than demolish it, with the plans aiming to complete the transformation of the wider northern precinct.

Council officers recommended the proposals for approval before a planning meeting on Friday morning where they were given the go-ahead by the planning committee.

Lee Marsham, chair of the planning committee, said: "The success of both the club and the city go hand in hand."

He said that adding to the existing stand, rather than demolishing it, was a "win-win situation".

However, he also acknowledged the council, the club and the police "need to work better together to solve some of the matchday issues".

Along with the new club shop and The Warehouse venue, due to open by December, the expansion of the stand would help "modernise the stadium's surroundings", the meeting heard.

The chair of the planning committee said: "The success of both the club and the city go hand in hand."

A council report said the North Stand plans would complete a vision "that ensures Villa Park is not only a top-tier football stadium but also a year-round destination for fans and the local community".

The expansion of the stand is also required due to Birmingham being named as a host city for the European Championships in 2028.

"There is an ambition for Villa Park [as a host stadium] to reach a spectator capacity of over 50,000 for this tournament," the report said. "This planning application is key to this being achieved."

On the economic benefits the new stand could provide, the report said it expected to attract 255,850 additional annual visitors and generate a further £13m.

"There would also be a significant inward investment throughout the Euro 2028 competition," it added about the tournament.

"It is estimated the tournament will generate almost £190m of socio-economic benefits for Birmingham and the wider West Midlands."

It said the redevelopment of the North Stand, along with The Warehouse, would provide an array of social benefits, including accessible and inclusive spaces for the community.

On matchday travel, the club has said it is committed to providing a "suite of measures" as part of the North Stand planning application.

These include improved off-site, off-street parking, improved bus services, improvements to rail services and increased cycle facilities.

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker also recently confirmed that funding had been secured to deliver improvements at nearby Witton Station.

Following today's decision by the planning committee, Parker said: "This is a massive step towards making Villa Park a world-class stadium and a top venue for the 2028 Euros."