AFC Bournemouth training ground expansion plans approved

AFC Bournemouth will not expand the capacity of its Goldsands Stadium for the club's first season in the Premier League

Plans to expand training facilities at newly-promoted Bournemouth have been agreed.

Bournemouth council unanimously backed three applications, including proposals to install a TV studio and a boiler room to provide under-pitch heating.

Chairman Jeff Mostyn said the club had had to make several changes to comply with Premier League requirements.

However, it has already said it will not expand the capacity of its Goldsands Stadium.

Councillors agreed to allow the club to add a third training pitch at Kings Park along with a new pavilion to house changing rooms, a players' lounge and treatment rooms.

Bournemouth won the Championship title on the last day of the season

The club were also given approval to erect temporary fencing to provide greater privacy for Eddie Howe's squad during training sessions.

Councillor David Kelsey, chairman of the planning board, said: "It is important that we balanced support for the club with a duty to preserve access to public land.

"We feel that the conditions we have made in granting approval ensure that this is the case."

The conditions include the installation of bird boxes to compensate for the loss of natural habitats, allowing occasional weekend use of the training pavilion and improving the appearance of the fencing around the training pitches

With a capacity of 11,700, Goldsands Stadium will be the smallest in the Premier League.