Crystal Palace’s £100million bid to redevelop the main stand at Selhurst Park should be approved, planning officers have recommended.
Croydon council will meet next Thursday to vote on whether to grant permission but planning officials have backed the proposal to be given the go-ahead.
Palace want to build a new main stand that would expand the capacity of their stadium from 26,000 to more than 34,000.
And council officers have recommended permission is granted subject to Palace re-housing residents of six homes that are due to be demolished as part of the redevelopment and the club also strengthening their plans for travel arrangements for supporters.
Palace must pay around £300,000 to make improvements to infrastructure around the ground, which includes improving access to Selhurst, Thornton Heath and Norwood Junction stations, as well as improving footpaths and cycle routes to the stadium.
Palace chairman Steve Parish has said the redevelopment of Selhurst Park does not depend on whether or not the club stays in the Premier League.
Should permission be granted next week, Palace hope building work on the stand will start at the end of next season and expect redevelopment to be completed by the start of the 2020-21 season. But if councillors reject the scheme Palace fear any new plans would not be approved in time for the stand to open in August 2020.
A report by the council shows the plans have been met with 84 official objections, including concerns about traffic congestion and noise on matchdays, overcrowding at train stations and the glass-fronted design not being in keeping with the neighbourhood.
But there have been 4,444 responses in support of the plans and the Greater London Authority has given its backing, subject to the club rehousing tenants in the six houses on Wooderson Close that are due to be demolished.
The Premier League support the plans and the report says the redevelopment will enable Palace to improve on and off the pitch. It also states the new main stand will help Palace cope with relegation should they go down.
The report said: “This planning application underpins the ability of Crystal Palace FC to improve both on and off the pitch, to be dynamic as it responds to the challenges and opportunities of being an established Premier League member, with the infrastructure both to build on success but also to be resilient should relegation occur.”
Palace are willing to rename Selhurst Park to help fund the redevelopment.
American co-owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer will help with finance but Palace will also consider a sponsorship deal to rebrand their home since 1924.
Although council officers have recommended the plans are approved, the council’s planning committee must still vote in favour of the redevelopment and the Mayor of London has to also give the scheme the go-ahead.
