AFC Bournemouth reveal new look stadium plans.

AFC Bournemouth have revealed its plans for the total refurbishment and expansion of the current Dean Court stadium.

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This, of course, is not the first time AFC Bournemouth have revealed plans for the redevelopment of Dean Court, with two previously designed and published plans for new south stands unveiled in the past.

But this plan hits differently. It is many months in the making, has already been done alongside conversations with BCP council and includes a stadium expansion for both the current North and East Stands.

On this occasion, it really feels like this is happening, or at least a version of this is happening, as it is yet to receive planning approval.

The plans were first revealed to “immediate local residents” before being unveiled online later.

The development, over two phases, will see an increased capacity of approximately 20,200.

Phase one will include a brand new 7,000 seater south stand, all four corners filled in, adding a further 1,440 seats in total.

This phase will see over 6,000 seats added to the stadium over the next 13 months and will be completed by August 2026.

Phase two will see the expansion of both the North and East Stand, which will add just shy of 3,000 seats to the capacity, lifting the capacity of the stadium to over 20,000 by August 2027.

The Main Stand alterations will mainly be internal, which will see enhanced player facilities as well as an expansion to the hospitality offerings, which will also see the open-air patios on the second floor enclosed.

The concourses will also get a makeover.

The outside of the stadium will see a new ticket office, fanzone and perimeter fence, which will include turnstiles, enabling the club to offer a freer roaming experience when inside the ground and help to elevate queues.

The main objections from the local residents living nearby to the stadium will focus primarily on traffic, with 75% of home supporters currently attending by car.

Pressures on local car parking are also a consideration.

For those residents who live immediately next door to the ground on either Thistlebarrow Road or Middleton Gardens, they may have concerns with the expansion of the North and East Stands being moved closer to the boundary lines with an increased height of the stadium.

Your say…

Rob Trent said…

It looks really good. Moving the fan zone away from neighbours is also a great move.

Have to say this looks like it might happen.

Perhaps they’ll give the ‘security fence’ a name. 😉

BFC1 posted…

The main takeaways are:
The impressive Cherry Bowl fan zone
North and East Stands extended over the walk ways pretty much up to the borders of the site. There are box sections under the extensions to allow access and to support the new seating. This applies to all three stands being worked on. This also allows car and ambulance access all around the Stadium.

North Stand will be 50% bigger – the East Stand similar, except it will be stepped at the North Stand end – ti reflect the space behind.
The corners are small and include a few straight rows added to the North and East Stands before the ‘Dairylea’ parts.
The South end Corners are a slightly weird three triangle set up.
It was a v well organised event, with a through flow to accommodate the large numbers who went. I heard a couple of residents who were supportive, and one guy / who lives in Thistlebarrow who was worried about the fact that he’ll basically be looking at a brick wall at the end of his garden. To be fair, I’d be the same and to his credit, he was not making a big fuss or getting hit under the collar.

Yoof said…

Initial thoughts from me –
– I think the external turnstiles will be a great improvement.
– The scale of the north and east, when viewed internally, is a pleasant surprise.
– I would have expected a lighter-looking structure to the rear of both east and north stands; I thought they’d cantilever some of the additional rows to limit impact.
– The lower corner between the north and east works well and stops it from looking like a soulless bowl.
– The taper back on the east is obviously a result of the houses behind, but I quite like it.
– The exterior of the east (and I assume north) is a bit dated, but not particularly visible, I guess.
– The south stand is an impressive structure and does have more of a 2-tier feel to it than I was expecting. It will be an imposing sight when viewed from the south car park.

– The tunnel beneath the rear of the stands – nice touch.
– However, the internal of the south stand looks completely out of keeping with the north and east. No attempt to taper the roof structure into the east, or match the roof design to the north/east, which all feels a bit odd.
– I see ‘stadium structures’ across the top of the south stand, assume it’s these chaps https://stadiumstructures.com – I hope I’m proved wrong and it’s not a 2nd rate solution.
– The external makeover to the main stand – not sure on the need if we do plan to redevelop that stand in the medium-term future, unless any future extension is just an up-and-over tier, and this updated facade would remain.
– I like the black cladding to the main and south, and I hoped they’d go for that, same with the roof, which looks from the animation to be black as well.
– The fan zone is a great idea, I can only compare the design to a club in Magaluf – interesting to see what that’s like on match day!

– Lots to love, but I thought Bill might have gone in a slightly different direction architecturally in a few areas and I’m not quite sure how well it’ll all tie in. Functional rather than beautiful I think.

Neil Dawson posted…

Plans look great. Well done, all involved! Very exciting and looks feasible. The main stand has all the facilities, so it would take a huge demand sustained over a long period for them to decide to alter that. It’s often been spoken about. We need to ensure we sell this out without thousands of away fans in the home areas like at Fulham, etc. – To join the conversation, please click here.