Anfield Stadium Expansion Plans Given The Go Ahead

Liverpool FC have been given the green light to increase Anfield Stadium’s capacity by 7,000 to give an overall capacity of 61,000.

The club's plans for a £60m expansion of their stadium were approved by Liverpool City Council on Tuesday morning.

As well as the increased capacity, Liverpool's proposal includes the development of a new family fan zone, hospitality lounges, and a range of other facilities.

As part of the planning application, the club has also been given permission to hold up to six concerts and major events at the stadium for a period of five years. This will include events such as concerts, American and Gaelic football.

Local residents and environmental groups had raised concerns over the impact of these expansion plans on nearby Stanley Park, but the planning committee voted 6‑2 in favour.

The work is expected to take 18 months to complete with the earliest completion date for the project being the summer of 2023.

Work will involve rerouting the existing Anfield Road around the new development, skirting the edge of Stanley Park, and then building behind the current stand with a view to joining up the old and new structures in the close season, thereby lessening the impact on Anfield's overall capacity.

Liverpool managing director Andy Hughes said: “This is a huge milestone in our journey towards bringing more supporters into Anfield.

"We have been clear from the beginning that this expansion would be based on our ability to successfully navigate the complex planning landscape; our ability to gain co‑operation of local residents and the community; and our ability to ensure the project is financially viable.

"In what has been a very unpredictable year, we are seeking certainty in order to progress with this project and there are still some steps we need to take to get there."