' Great News '

Cardiff City plans get the go-ahead

9th Oct 2013
Plans to expand the stadium to 33,000 seats has been given the go-ahead despite concerns over match-day parking


Cardiff council’s planning committee on Wednesday approved the enlargement of the Ninian Park stand by 5,150 seats, including a new VIP area.

An expansion of Cardiff City Stadium to 33,000 seats has been given the go-ahead, despite concerns it will increase match-day parking problems.

Cardiff council’s planning committee on Wednesday approved the enlargement of the Ninian Park stand by 5,150 seats, including a new VIP area.

The project, which is predicted to add £31m to the local economy, is designed to capitalise on the club’s new Premier League status. Only Riverside’s Labour councillor Iona Gordon voted against the planning application.

Construction is likely to start immediately as the Bluebirds want it ready to host the Uefa European Super Cup, between the winners of this season’s Champions League and Europa League, in August.

In response to concerns from Canton’s Labour councillors, the council asked Cardiff City to make a £1,000 contribution for each home match to fund more civic parking enforcement officers.

Planners also requested that the club pay £20,000 to evaluate a possible improvement of Ninian Park railway station, which struggles to cope with the high number of fans on match days.

The Bluebirds turned down both of these requests, but agreed to give £20,000 towards footway improvements.

Canton councillor Richard Cook said: “We support the club and welcome the economic development this will bring, but that must not be at the expense of the majority of residents of the city who do not support or appreciate football.”

He said the club had made efforts to encourage fans to use public transport and not park illegally, bur problem parkers remained the “bane” of Canton.

“This is an application for 33,000 seats, which is 3,000 above the permitted permission, so I will allow you to do the sums about the extra revenue that will generate – it’s many thousands of times more than £1,000 a match,” Coun Cook said.

“Given the money that is knocking around in football, the club could easily afford £1,000 a match. It’s not very much for Cardiff City and it will do a lot to alleviate the pain of the residents of Canton who have to endure the illegal parking.”

Llandaff’s Liberal Democrat councillor Gareth Aubrey, a member of the committee, said: “I am disappointed that the club was not able to meet the requests in terms of the station improvements.

“I am disappointed that a club turning over £60m this season, and hopefully more than that in the future, cannot find £20,000.”

Butetown’s Labour Ali Ahmed said he hoped the stadium would eventually expand to 50,000 seats, but added: “With the powers they have got, the club can play a major role in controlling some of the parking problems and to be honest with you, I think £1,000 (a match) is nothing to them.”

Committee chairman Michael Michael, however, said tackling illegal parking was a matter for the council and it had never previously forced developers to contribute towards the cost of enforcement.

The expansion plan includes a Premier Club to provide an exclusive area for up to 250 guests and seating on the halfway line, according to the planning application.

The level four premium concourse will be accessed by a dedicated entrance in the extension, with its own reception, stairs, lift and open bar/lounge area.

The steel frame structure will be built behind the current stand over the course of this season, with the roof removed in stages before the new tier is added from late May.

The planning application does not state what colour the new seating will be, but confirms the club’s name will be lit up at night in alternating colours – “predominantly red”.

Cardiff City plans get the go-ahead

9th Oct 2013
Plans to expand the stadium to 33,000 seats has been given the go-ahead despite concerns over match-day parking


Cardiff council’s planning committee on Wednesday approved the enlargement of the Ninian Park stand by 5,150 seats, including a new VIP area.

An expansion of Cardiff City Stadium to 33,000 seats has been given the go-ahead, despite concerns it will increase match-day parking problems.

Cardiff council’s planning committee on Wednesday approved the enlargement of the Ninian Park stand by 5,150 seats, including a new VIP area.

The project, which is predicted to add £31m to the local economy, is designed to capitalise on the club’s new Premier League status. Only Riverside’s Labour councillor Iona Gordon voted against the planning application.

Construction is likely to start immediately as the Bluebirds want it ready to host the Uefa European Super Cup, between the winners of this season’s Champions League and Europa League, in August.

In response to concerns from Canton’s Labour councillors, the council asked Cardiff City to make a £1,000 contribution for each home match to fund more civic parking enforcement officers.

Planners also requested that the club pay £20,000 to evaluate a possible improvement of Ninian Park railway station, which struggles to cope with the high number of fans on match days.

The Bluebirds turned down both of these requests, but agreed to give £20,000 towards footway improvements.

Canton councillor Richard Cook said: “We support the club and welcome the economic development this will bring, but that must not be at the expense of the majority of residents of the city who do not support or appreciate football.”

He said the club had made efforts to encourage fans to use public transport and not park illegally, bur problem parkers remained the “bane” of Canton.

“This is an application for 33,000 seats, which is 3,000 above the permitted permission, so I will allow you to do the sums about the extra revenue that will generate – it’s many thousands of times more than £1,000 a match,” Coun Cook said.

“Given the money that is knocking around in football, the club could easily afford £1,000 a match. It’s not very much for Cardiff City and it will do a lot to alleviate the pain of the residents of Canton who have to endure the illegal parking.”

Llandaff’s Liberal Democrat councillor Gareth Aubrey, a member of the committee, said: “I am disappointed that the club was not able to meet the requests in terms of the station improvements.

“I am disappointed that a club turning over £60m this season, and hopefully more than that in the future, cannot find £20,000.”

Butetown’s Labour Ali Ahmed said he hoped the stadium would eventually expand to 50,000 seats, but added: “With the powers they have got, the club can play a major role in controlling some of the parking problems and to be honest with you, I think £1,000 (a match) is nothing to them.”

Committee chairman Michael Michael, however, said tackling illegal parking was a matter for the council and it had never previously forced developers to contribute towards the cost of enforcement.

The expansion plan includes a Premier Club to provide an exclusive area for up to 250 guests and seating on the halfway line, according to the planning application.

The level four premium concourse will be accessed by a dedicated entrance in the extension, with its own reception, stairs, lift and open bar/lounge area.

The steel frame structure will be built behind the current stand over the course of this season, with the roof removed in stages before the new tier is added from late May.

The planning application does not state what colour the new seating will be, but confirms the club’s name will be lit up at night in alternating colours – “predominantly red”.

thanks annis

No problem Wez
I looked for it earlier and I could not find it

Positive news at last

So when do hey start work?

good news is banned from this site, how dare you sir

Mind you, Mr Tan is probably paying for it. I thought some people on here wanted him out?

Won't need 33,000 seats when we're back in the dungeon in about 3 years time.

So when do hey start work?

Strait away will be pre fabricated behind stand ready to install in March!

Won't need 33,000 seats when we're back in the dungeon in about 3 years time.

Why should the club fund/contribute to improving Ninian Park Station? When we a pay a fortune to get on a train to go anywhere these days, they make enough profit. Put pressure on Network Rail/ Aviva not CCFC. This work should have been done in the summer to improve all transport links to the stadium the amount of extra business and tourism its going to generate for Cardiff.

In response to concerns from Canton’s Labour councillors, the council asked Cardiff City to make a £1,000 contribution for each home match to fund more civic parking enforcement officers.

Why should the club have to pay this? Every car that is illegally parked will earn the council, what £40 or £60. They should be giving you a percentage of the take. If you ask me its bloody extortion.

Great news indeed

Put pressure on Network Rail/ Aviva not CCFC.

Waste of bloody time going through Arriva. I've complained twice this season about how few carriages they put on, all I get back is "we do the best we can".

As for the expansion, superb news. Had to give up my season ticket for this season as I didn't think I'd be able to get the time off work for games...how wrong I was! Soon snapped up a gold membership though, so one of those new seats has my name written all over it!

Put pressure on Network Rail/ Aviva not CCFC.

Waste of bloody time going through Arriva. I've complained twice this season about how few carriages they put on, all I get back is "we do the best we can".

As for the expansion, superb news. Had to give up my season ticket for this season as I didn't think I'd be able to get the time off work for games...how wrong I was! Soon snapped up a gold membership though, so one of those new seats has my name written all over it!

Try to catch a train to and from Caerphilly for Sunday Matches ....... Not even Bear Grylls will accept that challenge.

Why should the club fund/contribute to improving Ninian Park Station? When we a pay a fortune to get on a train to go anywhere these days, they make enough profit. Put pressure on Network Rail/ Aviva not CCFC. This work should have been done in the summer to improve all transport links to the stadium the amount of extra business and tourism its going to generate for Cardiff.

I quite agree, in fact considering the revenue the stadium will bring to the city the tosspot council should contribute to improving the Ninian Park station. Just like Central Station and the bus station it is a disgrace to the city.