The planning and development committee of Leicester City Council has recommended approval of a request to expand the stadium’s capacity and construct a 20-story residential complex (14 September). The hybrid proposal contains outline designs for the residential building, a club shop, an arena, a hotel, office space, a multistory parking lot, and food outlets, in addition to detailed plans for expanding 8,000 seats to the stadium.
The designs would extend the King Power Stadium’s current 32,000 capacity to 40,000 by adding a tier above the eastern stand and partially encircling the north and south stands. The new tier, which would be 152 metres long, 30 metres wide, and 47 metres tall and have luxury rooms, catering facilities, a sensory area, and a first aid room, would be constructed on land that is currently a concourse.
The addition would “possibly allow the team to remain competitive within the Premier League and European club championships,” according to planners at Leicester City Council. It would also “permit expanded capacity for concerts and non-sporting events, improving the profile of the city.” Although they agreed that “the townscape impacts on sensitive areas are not negligible, given to the height and bulk of the buildings,” they claimed that these problems could be resolved through form and material refinement and the reserved matters stage.
English 