Liverpool's stadium development plans approved as Anfield expansion gets the green light

Work can begin on phase one of the plans to redevelop Liverpool's Anfield Stadium

An overhead view of the proposed redeveloped Anfield and the wider public concourse area that will link the stadium to the Anfield area (Liverpool FC)

Liverpool City Council have granted Liverpool Football Club permission to start work with regards to expanding Anfield, with phase one of the redevelopment given the green light.

The plans were put forward before the council and received a unanimous backing, having already come through a vote to defer the plans by five votes to one.

Liverpool plan to expand the current Anfield stadium from 45,522-capacity to around 54,000 as part of phase one, with a second phase set to take the maximum capacity up to the 58,000 mark.

Councillor Steve Radford had expressed concerns over how the additional fans would their way to and from the stadium in a safe manner, and also expressed his displeasure with the plan on how the transport would be developed having said they had not seen a supplementary transport assessment.

Phase One will see the Main Stand increased, with phase two adding to the current Anfield Road stand.

The resolution from members of Liverpool City Council's Planning Committee to grant planning permission, subject to conditions and legal agreement, was unanimous.

Construction work on the proposed Main Stand - during which matches will continue to be played at Anfield - is expected to begin early next year and be complete in time for the 2016-17 season.

Additional reporting by PA