English Premier League soccer side Crystal Palace FC has been given the green light for planning permission by local authority Croydon Council for a new main stand at its Selhurst Park home that would increase capacity and offer new hospitality and entertainment experiences for supporters at the south London venue.
Having released initial renderings of the proposal in December 2017 the project has been in the approval process with Croydon Council, which granted the club the go-ahead for the five-story, glass-fronted stand.
“I am absolutely delighted that Croydon Council has backed our plans for Selhurst Park,” said Steve Parish, chairman of Crystal Palace FC. “This project will not only transform the stadium, which has been our home since 1924, but it will also have a positive impact on the south London community.
As part of the build, which could cost up to £100m (US$140m) the club is required to rehome the residents of the six homes neighboring the south London stadium that will need to be demolished, as well as fund of local transport and community facilities improvements.
The next phase of the process sees the application referred to the London mayor and if also approved, planning permission will be granted and building work commence.
The new stand will increase seating capacity at Selhurst Park from 26,000 to more than 34,000. Architects KSS will be responsible for the design of the impressive frontage, which pays homage to the original Crystal Palace exhibition hall, which was erected nearby in 1851.
The current Main Stand will remain in place and in full use while construction work takes place. The club hopes to begin work at the end the 2018-19 season and complete the build by the start of the 2021-22 season.
April 25, 2018
