Stadium expansion at Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth

The site and surroundings

The stadium sits in Kings Park between residential areas, near railway stations, bus routes, car parks and a heavily used cycle and pedestrian path.

“Element Capacity increase (approx) Operational by date *subject to change Cumulative A - South East and North West Corners 800 Sep-26 12,086 B - South Stand Upper Tier 4,000 Apr-27 16,086 C - South Stand Lower Tier (~2320 replaced with ~3000) 680 Aug-27 16,766 D - South West and North East Corner 720 Nov-27 17,486 E - North Stand 1,200 Est. late 2028 18,686 F - East Stand 1,800 Est. late 2028 20,486 Description of Site and Surroundings 10.”

“The stadium is close to transport links, with Pokesdown and Bournemouth Railway Station nearby, well-established bus routes, and a combined cycle and pedestrian path running along its southern boundary. This path is heavily used by both local residents and commuters, with…”

Officer report

Earlier applications

An earlier application approved enabling works, including south-stand foundations, an outside broadcasting compound, path diversion, parking changes and west-stand infilling.

“Mitigation - is also proposed to offset any potential harms caused to Kings Park and the surrounding areas though the additional footfall from the uplift in fans and tourists. 5. A previous application consisting of enabling works was approved at planning committee (P/25/03733/FUL) and forms a material planning consideration. These works were subject to a separate application to allow completion during the football season without affecting matchday operations.”

“Creation of outside broadcasting compound measuring 1,564 sqm, including glass reinforced plastic (GRP) (units that house the cabling and wiring connections required by broadcasters and other media channels in order to broadcast the games), facilities, a toilet block, and Hawk-Eye systems (goal line technology).”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to conditions and a legal agreement, with Secretary of State referral before the decision notice could be issued.

“Recommendation: To GRANT permission for the reasons as set out in this report subject to: a) the following conditions (as listed under ‘Conditions’) with power delegated to the Head of Planning (Operations) (including any officer exercising their powers if absent and/or the post is vacant and any other officer nominated by them for such a purpose) to alter and/or add to any such conditions provided any alteration/addition in the opinion of the Head of Planning (or other…”

“It should be noted that the recommendation to grant permission is subject to the need to refer this decision to the Secretary of State for a 21-day period to decide whether they wish to intervene in the decision and call-in the planning application before the decision notice is issued. S106 Legal Agreement Heads of Terms 357.”

Officer report

Public views

There were 58 objections, 129 supporting letters and nine comments, covering benefits, transport, parking, traffic, visual impact, daylight, outlook and noise.

“Supports extension • Need better infrastructure to ease congestion and complaints • Does not support permits on Boscombe Grove Road – no parking issues there Representations 22. The first site notice was erected outside the site on 02/02/2026 with an expiry date of 23/02/2026. Following the receipt of amended information, an additional site notice was erected on 27/04/2026 with an expiry of 12/05/2026. 23.”

“Already an issue of illegal parking- street parking management must be considered • East and North stand will impact daylight coming into houses on Middleton gardens and Thistlebarrow Road -20-30% reduction in daylight for some properties • Scale and mass of proposal far too large for the residential character of area- will create a visually dominant and oppressive structure • Loss of outlook from principal rooms (kitchens, bedrooms) in some surrounding houses • Decrease…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Objectors included two local residents; the applicant’s agent and business director spoke in support, followed by ward and adjoining ward councillors.

The committee decision

After questions and an adjournment, the committee resolved to grant permission in accordance with the officer recommendation, with amendments and a section 106 agreement.

“RESOLVED to GRANT permission in accordance with the recommendation set out in the officer’s report, as updated by the Committee Addendum published and with delegation to the head of planning to agree amendments to conditions, including:”

Minutes