Premier League club announce plans to redevelop 53-year-old stand in ‘exciting project’ with hotel and aquatics centre
IPSWICH TOWN’s stunning redevelopment plans for Portman Road have taken a huge leap forward.
The Premier League club are planning to modernise the iconic Cobbold Stand.
And the improvements are now set to be given the green light after the Tractor Boys struck an “in-principle agreement” to buy land adjacent to their ground.
Ipswich Borough Council said specific terms are “yet to be finalised” but the club is set to buy part of the New Portman Road car park that backs onto the Cobbold Stand.
Back in March, the local authority unveiled a “masterplan” to regenerate the area.
In a statement they said: “It features plans for an aquatics centre, a multi-storey car park, a hotel and designated space for Ipswich Town Football Club’s development and expansion.”
The current Crown Pools will be replaced by a state-of-the-art facility and gym, while a seven-story car park comes in for the current 500 spaces.
Incredible computer generated images show what the area might look like in the future.
The council labelled it an “exciting project and partnership”.
But they have admitted the plans for a new and improved aquatics centre are “ambitious”.
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The Cobbold Stand, which was constructed in 1971, is the oldest at the stadium and is where away fans are positioned.
Ipswich chief Mark Ashton previously said they will lose 4,000 of the 30,000 capacity for 18 months during the rebuild.
Kieran McKenna‘s side currently sit 17th in the Premier League are still waiting for their first win.
What we know about the 'new' Old Trafford
MANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.
The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.
The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.
A capacity of 100,000 is expected.
It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.
The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.
United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.
There had been plans to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a scaled down second venue.
However, it’s looking increasing likely that it will in fact be entirely demolished.
The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.
The club have appointed the architects Foster + Partners to come up with a “masterplan”. The company were behind Wembley Stadium.
Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.
The target is for completion by 2030.