NON-LEAGUE side Weston-super-Mare have been given permission to redevelop their ground to EFL standard.
Work on the Optima Stadium is scheduled to start in early 2027 and will include a new restaurant, bar and new hospitality facilities.
All club-related development is expected to be completed by the end of that year.
The project will be led by CMS Group, with talks over a potential revamp having started seven years ago.
Director of CMS Group, Paul Rogers, said: “Reaching this major milestone is a fantastic achievement for a project that ‘kicked off’ back in 2018.
“It brings us one step closer to delivering a sustainable, modern facility that will benefit both the club and the wider community.”
ERLI EXIT?
England get World Cup group with Haaland tie and grudge match as draw simulated
BEAUTY
Win a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan + £2,000 cash or £33k cash from just 21p with our code
Meanwhile, Weston-super-Mare chairman, Oli Bliss, added: “I am so happy that we have got this planning approval after many years of hard work.
“We can now focus on getting this project started, which will transform the Optima Stadium into a League 2 standard ground, with brand new restaurant, bar and hospitality facilities to help support the progression of the club.”
The Optima Stadium – also known as the Woodspring Stadium – is located in North Somerset.
A club statement read: “This marks a major milestone for the club and represents the first significant step towards delivering the improved facilities our supporters, players, staff, and community deserve.
“With planning now in place, the Board of Directors will begin the tendering process and pursue the required funding to move the project forward.”
Weston-super-Mare currently play in the National League South, the sixth tier of English football.
They sit second in the table, three points behind Hornchurch with a game in hand.
Read the full article here