Liverpool has been given permission to increase Anfield stadium's capacity from about 45,500 to about 59,000 as part of a £100m expansion plan. Liverpool City Council's planning committee approved the club's proposal to expand the Main Stand by 8,300 seats and the Anfield Road Stand by 4,800, reports BBC Sport. The proposals also included conference and banqueting facilities, a new club shop and additional car parking.
Construction will begin next year for completion by the 2016-17 season. The stadium expansion is part of a £260m regeneration of the Anfield area of Liverpool.
The planning application states the redevelopment would allow the club to host major international and European games.
Uefa standards include a minimum 50,000 capacity stadium, corporate accommodation and a minimum standard for the changing rooms of players and match officials, which Anfield does not meet.
The Main Stand would be expanded from a single tier to three tiers.
A memorial to the 96 Liverpool fans who died in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster will be moved to form part of the Hillsborough Memorial Garden, which has been included as part of the development.
