Stadium Expansion update October 2021 - Hybrid Plan Submitted

[Ashley]

2 minutes ago, Fox92 said:

I wish. 

Ground is terrible for parking. Tram would be a brilliant idea.

Will be from Fosse Park apparently..

[Fox92]

Just now, Ashley said:

Will be from Fosse Park apparently..

Oh, is this potentially happening then? 

[PAULCFC]

Really don't know why the park and rides are not used!

[Spudulike]

2 hours ago, Sol thewall Bamba said:

Any update as to when the full application might be visible publicly? 

The wheels move slowly in planning departments, I have experience of this. It will take them some time to check if the application can be registered before consideration will be given to public consultation (another one). 

 

I don't think the club have yet received approval to commence the enabling works. 

[Ric Flair]

3 hours ago, Ashley said:

Will be from Fosse Park apparently..

An even worse place to park than the ground currently 😂😂

[Strokes]

Trams are shit. 

Edited 1 November 2021 by Strokes

[Stevosevic]

2 minutes ago, Strokes said:

Trams are shit. 

Manchester's network is pretty good. 

 

1 solitary line for a couple of miles seems pretty pointless though. 

[Paninistickers]

13 hours ago, UniFox21 said:

Believe they've said the east stand renovation could happen without impacting supporters. Assume we'd do the last knocking down stages during summer

The only difficulty would be moving the blocks of turnstiles along the east stand. They'd have to create a temporary new entrance, possibly via the two large access points near the kop and away end and people take their seats from the pitch side concourse 

[Fox in the North]

Just waiting for the council to validate the plans. Should be available on their website soon but could be anytime between now and a few weeks.

[SemperEadem]

1 hour ago, Stevosevic said:

Manchester's network is pretty good. 

 

1 solitary line for a couple of miles seems pretty pointless though. 

Very handy in Sheffield too. They actual go out to where folk live and work. Whereas Nottingham’s I found pointless.

[FoyleFox]

2 hours ago, SemperEadem said:

Very handy in Sheffield too. They actual go out to where folk live and work. Whereas Nottingham’s I found pointless.

A bit like their football team then 😂

[Fox in the North]

13 hours ago, Fox in the North said:

Just waiting for the council to validate the plans. Should be available on their website soon but could be anytime between now and a few weeks.

Just to add to this I’ve done a little bit of extra digging and the application should be on the website within 10 working days so by next Monday 

[RoboFox]

Has anyone else noticed a shift towards "King Power Stadium" rather than "THE King Power Stadium" when talking about the ground?

 

i.e. "You join us at King Power Stadium"

 

Not sure how long the club have been doing it, but I'm sure RL have started this recently. Has this always been the case or am I only just noticing?  

 

Seems grammatically strange. 

[Sol thewall Bamba]

2 hours ago, RoboFox said:

Has anyone else noticed a shift towards "King Power Stadium" rather than "THE King Power Stadium" when talking about the ground?

 

i.e. "You join us at King Power Stadium"

 

Not sure how long the club have been doing it, but I'm sure RL have started this recently. Has this always been the case or am I only just noticing?  

 

Seems grammatically strange. 

Been like it for a long time, always assumed it's to cater for overseas audiences. But yeah it grates on me too.

[RoboFox]

13 minutes ago, Sol thewall Bamba said:

Been like it for a long time, always assumed it's to cater for overseas audiences. But yeah it grates on me too.

Fair 'nuff. Probably just RL playing catch up then.

[davieG]

Nothing new.

 

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leicester-king-power-stadium-expansion-6153120

 

When King Power Stadium expansion work could begin as Leicester City await two green lights
Leicester City have filed a planning application for the construction of their new East Stand, which will see the King Power Stadium's capacity rise to 40,000 seats

ByJordan Blackwell
11:04, 3 NOV 2021

Work could begin on the site of Leicester City’s King Power Stadium from early next year with the club waiting for two green lights from the City Council.

City filed a hybrid planning application last week for the expansion of their home ground, a development that will take the capacity up to 40,000 spectators.

The club have grand plans for the site, with a hotel, a 6,000-capacity indoor arena, an apartment building, and a new flagship fanstore.

However, the planning application officially filed last week will have a detailed specification of the building work required for the East Stand of the stadium, but only outlines for the other developments on the site, with ground itself the priority build.

City also announced last week the purchase of the building formerly owned by energy company Eon, but as a recent buy, it has not been included in the planning application.

No details have emerged on what the land will be used for, but City felt it made sense to acquire the building and expand the site to cover all of the area at the back of the East Stand up to Aylestone Road.

City are anticipating approval from Leicester City Council in the spring, and will then hope to begin construction on the new stand immediately, with the intention that building work will not disrupt the current capacity nor any fans sitting in the East Stand.

However, work could begin on the site before then. City submitted plans for enabling works earlier in October, and with fewer considerations to be made by the City Council before approval can be granted, the club are hoping they get a green light to start from the beginning of 2022.

As part of enabling works to prepare the site for construction, electrical and drainage work will be undertaken, plus the demolition of the National Grid building behind the East Stand.

Tree felling and asbestos removal is required as part of the process before the single storey building is taken down.

It is anticipated that the demolition will take between 10 and 14 weeks in total, with work on the site planned for weekdays and Saturday mornings. Some of the materials will be retained to use in the construction of the East Stand expansion.

It is anticipated that the new stand will be built and then joined onto the existing stadium during an off-season, as was done with Liverpool's new stand at Anfield, with the architects KSS Group involved with both ventures.

The earliest expected completion date of the new East Stand is the summer of 2024.

[fleckneymike]

On 02/11/2021 at 13:17, Sol thewall Bamba said:

Been like it for a long time, always assumed it's to cater for overseas audiences. But yeah it grates on me too.

Not really. We didn’t call it ‘The Filbert Street’.

[Plastik Man]

1 hour ago, fleckneymike said:

Not really. We didn’t call it ‘The Filbert Street’.

Back in the day they did used to refer to it as the City Stadium. 

[davieG]

 

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/leicester-city-stadium-expansion-breakdown-6155909

Leicester City stadium expansion - a breakdown of everything you can expect from the club's plans
The expansion to the King Power Stadium is vast and full of big suggestions - here's everything you need to know

ByCorey Bedford
04:00, 4 NOV 2021

Everything you need to know about the stadium expansion plans

When Leicester City Football Club announced their new expansion plans for the King Power Stadium, it made waves across British football.

A major expansion to the number of seats alone was a big announcement, pushing the stadium's capacity up to numbers similar to grounds such as Stamford Bridge, Elland Road, and Goodison Park - a much more fitting size for a club which is a mainstay in the Premier League and European football.

But, even though the changes to the King Power itself are a major step forward, the club is looking to put millions of pounds into the local economy, increase housing options, and give us an entire new arena, giving fresh vibrancy to the city which has been hit harder than most by the pandemic.

 

So what exactly do they have in mind? Have a look below and see everything announced in the club's huge plans for the city.

 

Stadium Expansion
The King Power Stadium's capacity is set to increase to 40,000 seats
The King Power Stadium's capacity is set to increase to 40,000 seats (Image: Leicester City FC)
Let's start with the obvious one, the stadium expansion.

The King Power Stadium has been home to Leicester City since moving from Filbert Street in 2002, and currently boasts a capacity of 32,261 seats.

However, while the capacity was much bigger than the former stadium when they moved, a lot has changed with the club since. Administration, relegation to League One, and then a euphoric rise back to the top of English football and playing in Europe.

So it's only fitting that the club changes with the times, and the plans more than cover that - bumping the capacity by around 8,000 seats up to 40,000.

This puts the club back on par with fellow Premier League teams, Chelsea, Everton, and Leeds.

But it's not just the seating areas that will expand, as the club are looking to expand their hospitality and food and drink offerings, too, stating the improvements will have major benefits for the Leicester economy.

They have also said that they will try their hardest to maintain stadium capacity throughout construction.

 

Brand new arena for Leicester
The indoor arena will have a capacity of 6,000 standing or 3,000 seated
The indoor arena will have a capacity of 6,000 standing or 3,000 seated
Another major part of the plans is a medium-sized arena, which will be able to host 6,000 people for a range of events from conferences, to concerts, to indoor sporting events and other live performances.

While Leicester has a wide variety of excellent small venues and hosts the ever-brilliant Leicester Comedy Festival - the max capacity venue that Leicester has is currently De Montfort Hall, which can host 2,200 people at standing shows.

This means that, when major musicians and events tour the country, Leicester often misses out to Nottingham and Birmingham, which both have the benefit of larger arenas that can accept thousands more people.

While the 6,000 capacity will still fall under the arenas nearby, it's likely to bring a significant amount of bigger live events to the city.

The club have also announced their intentions to link the arena to the stadium's new East Stand and a new hotel.

 

Fanzone area
The new fanzone area will allow fans to socialise before and after games - and will come with pop-up food stalls and a market
The new fanzone area will allow fans to socialise before and after games - and will come with pop-up food stalls and a market (Image: Leicester City Football Club)
Technically called the "Public Realm & Fanzone", this actually offers a lot more than what you might think.

The basic premise is to make the area outside of the stadium a "unique social space for fans and visitors" - which doesn't just apply to matchdays but throughout the whole year.

The space itself is similar to that of a plaza. An open, pedestrianised space that will allow the 40,000 fans to congregate, socialise, and hang out on the build-up to a match.

The plans also show pop-up spaces for food and beverages stalls, retail units, an outdoor entertainment and events area, and outdoor screens and viewing areas.

But the club is also suggesting the area could be used for craft and weekend market spaces - using the empty space when it's not a matchday to provide more for the local area.

A new arrival route from the east for cyclists and pedestrian, called "The Avenue" is also planned. This area will also include seating areas and a viewing area for the Raw Dykes Ancient Monument.

 

Flagship fanstore
The new fanstore could house a Leicester City museum
The new fanstore could house a Leicester City museum (Image: LCFC)
Another part of the plan that would go down well with Foxes fans is brand new fanstore.

The shop will plan to offer more than just the usual replica kits, scarves, and mugs that you'd expect, though, as they are looking to provide an experience for the fans and those who visit beyond a quick shop.

Unlike its current location in the King Power, the fanstore will have its own standalone structure, and that's just the start of the changes.

The club has also expressed a desire to include a museum about Leicester City Football Club, so people can find out more about the history of the team we know and love today - but it is currently under consideration at the moment.

They also announced plans for "interactive customer experiences" in the store, but are yet to reveal exactly what they have in mind.

 

Hotel and business centre
The King Power Stadium's new planned hotel - which will have 220 rooms and a business centre
The King Power Stadium's new planned hotel - which will have 220 rooms and a business centre (Image: LCFC)
And if that wasn't enough, a new hotel and business centre are also proposed in the same plans.

There is currently a hotel just next to the stadium already for travelling fans to stay in, a Holiday Inn, but the club have a much bigger hotel in mind to offer travelling fans and tourists in general.

The plans are looking to double the number of hotel rooms available at the Holiday Inn, with 220 rooms in a "landmark hotel and business centre", spread across 15 storeys and intends to offer "unrivalled views across the city and the new East Stand".

Their intention is to make the hotel a popular destination all-year-round, not just for the away fans, planning to offer large residential conferences and include food and drink outlets for anyone to use.

 

Residential tower
The residential tower is planned to be 20 storeys high and have up to 234 apartments
The residential tower is planned to be 20 storeys high and have up to 234 apartments (Image: LCFC)
Another major proposal from the club is a 20 storey residential tower that will be built next to the hotel and business centre.

The proposal suggests the high-rise building will have up to 234 apartments, as well as having a range of communal and leisure facilities on offer for the residents to use - as well as food and beverage and social areas.

The land around the King Power Stadium is made up mostly of commercial sites such as car dealerships, shops, and restaurants - with the nearest residential areas just off Filbert Street, Aylestone Road, and Saffron Lane, as well as nearby student apartments.

This big increase in housing in the area will have an impact on the nearby shops, as well as provide Leicester some much-needed additional homes.

 

Southwest Pavilion
Flexible office space will be built as part of the renovation
Flexible office space will be built as part of the renovation (Image: LCFC)
Another standalone building added to the mix is the Southwest Pavilion, which has been described as "high quality, Grade A office space and facilities."

The goal of the building is to provide a space for professional services and businesses to work out of, while also looking to "retain more of Leicester's graduate talent."

The office space will be flexible and available for a "variety of businesses and sectors" including start-ups and the sports and entertainment industry - and will come with its own separate parking.

This shows that Leicester City not only want to bring more income and homes to Leicester, but also bring more jobs and help new local businesses get on their feet.

 

Multi-storey car park
The car park will have 525 spaces and replace the current on-site parking
The car park will have 525 spaces and replace the current on-site parking (Image: LCFC)
And last but not least, the car park. The least-exciting of the lot but arguably the most essential, as what's the point of having a higher capacity stadium, hotel, residential tower, new fanstore, and arena if you can't handle the increase in cars coming to the area.

The car park is but one part of the plan, however, as the club intends to have a cycling hub and also an "energy centre", which suggests the availability of charging for electric cars, but this is yet to be confirmed.

The multi-storey itself will have 525 spaces and will replace the current surface car parks that are available on site.

The cycle hub will provide secure cycle parking, intending to encourage cycle use between the city and the stadium.

The club has also said that they will continue to push and promote green travel options, as well.

[Sol thewall Bamba]

On 01/11/2021 at 16:50, Ashley said:

Will be from Fosse Park apparently..

If the line runs into town that could actually be decent for anyone needing the M1 junction to get home.

[volpeazzurro]

On 01/11/2021 at 16:50, Ashley said:

Will be from Fosse Park apparently..

The problem I see there is Fosse Park, now with it's various new shops. The area, particularly at Christmas is already grid locked at the weekends and I could see it only getting worse if a few thousand football supporters descend on the area to catch a tram.

 

I recently parked due to necessity on one of the various charity car parks on the Freeman's Common area. It was after the game that I remembered why I stopped parking there after queuing for over an hour. Historically, police or later, traffic wardens were used to dissipate the traffic quite quickly but no longer due to genuine other duties I suppose and disbanding of traffic wardens. I'm sure people would use trains if the timings in and out were a little more thought out.

[davieG]

The problem with any form of transport is taking the fans away after the game, they arrive in dribs and drabs but all or nearly all want to exit at the same time, trains, trams and P&R can't cope with that.

[coolhandfox]

4 minutes ago, davieG said:

The problem with any form of transport is taking the fans away after the game, they arrive in dribs and drabs but all or nearly all want to exit at the same time, trains, trams and P&R can't cope with that.

100% this, you have 32,000 people turning up over a 1-2 hour period and the 32,000 leaving over a 10-15 minute period.  

[SemperEadem]

12 minutes ago, davieG said:

The problem with any form of transport is taking the fans away after the game, they arrive in dribs and drabs but all or nearly all want to exit at the same time, trains, trams and P&R can't cope with that.

Hillsborough is a prime example of this, it is pretty carnage after the match for a tram. And that is with a fanbase which id say live more local to it's ground than ours.

[Voll Blau]

15 minutes ago, davieG said:

The problem with any form of transport is taking the fans away after the game, they arrive in dribs and drabs but all or nearly all want to exit at the same time, trains, trams and P&R can't cope with that.

That's why a decent fan park and also promotion of other local pubs and restaurants needs to be a key strategy in any expansion. You need to give people a reason to stick around at the ground or a short walk away to ease congestion.