Cherries stadium plans receive support from public - but neighbour objections remain

AFC Bournemouth Football Planning and development Sport

THE public consultation on the Cherries’ stadium expansion planning application has closed, and it was met with good support, but with a number of objections, too.

Some 103 responses were marked as supporting the application on the BCP Council planning portal, with a further 47 marked as objecting.

Seven responses were comments, with a total of 157 neighbour contributions to the consultation on the scheme.

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The majority of objections to the plans came from the ground’s immediate neighbours in Middleton Gardens and Thistlebarrow Road.

Thirty of the objections came from residents in these roads, with their concerns around the proposals centred around the expansion of the north and east stands.

A CGI image of the proposed expansion from Thistlebarrow Road/Middleton Gardens. (Image: AFC Bournemouth/Stadium Structures/Savills)

This, residents say, would result in a “visually dominant and oppressive structure”, with the proposals failing to demonstrate how it will sympathetically fit the expanded ground into the character of the local area.

Residents are also concerned over the loss of daylight due to the expanded stands and potential loss of privacy, meaning an overall harm to the residents’ amenity.

Objections also point to work being done at Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest to their main stands, with the Cherries stating in their application that expanding the main stand would result in its closure, which would not be viable.

CGI from the north east corner, with houses in Thistlebarrow Road on the right. (Image: AFC Bournemouth/Stadium Structures/Savills)

Other concerns around the plans from other comments centre on transport and parking issues with the almost doubling of capacity at the stadium.

This is a known issue currently and is one that both the council and the football club will be focusing on in the redevelopment of the ground.

But, along with resident and fan support, the proposals were also backed by business organisations and individual companies.

The Bournemouth Coastal BID indicated that it believes the project will aid in the regeneration of Boscombe, and there is “a real opportunity here to put Boscombe on the map”.

CGI from the north east corner, with houses in Thistlebarrow Road on the right. (Image: AFC Bournemouth/Stadium Structures/Savills)

Dorset Chamber and the Bournemouth Chamber of Trade both registered their support, with the proposed expansion likely to boost the local economy both during and after the work, tourism and it will create jobs.

The plans will also boost the club’s standing on the international stage, Ian Girling, Dorset Chamber chief executive said, which will bring opportunities for wider economic growth.

Charity Lewis-Manning Hospice Care backed the plans, too, while Vitality, who hold the naming rights sponsorship for the stadium, expressed its support.

Statutory consultations were all due by March 6, with the plans set to be decided by the council planning committee. The Cherries have confirmed that they expect this decision to come at the beginning of May.