Liverpool granted permission for Anfield expansion

Liverpool has been given permission to redevelop two sections of Anfield, a construction project that will increase the legendary stadium's capacity from 45,500 to roughly 59,000.

Liverpool City Council's planning committee unanimously approved the club's application for the redevelopment, which is expected to begin next year and be completed in time for the 2016-17 season. 

The proposed rebuild will see the stadium reach UEFA standards to host major international and European matches, which was a major aspect of the club's application package.

The BBC elaborates:

UEFA standards include a minimum 50,000 capacity stadium, corporate accommodation and a minimum standard for the changing rooms for players and match officials, which Anfield does not meet.

The stadium's food and toilet facilities, disability facilities, pitch side accommodation and doctor, physiotherapy and drug testing rooms are also below standard.

According to the Guardian, there were concerns raised by two councillors that the additional seating - which will increase capacity of both the Main Stand and Anfield Road stand - will cause traffic problems in the area because there are no plans to add more parking to accommodate the larger crowd.

The application was approved despite those protestations.

To see what the new and improved Anfield will look like, see the post below.