Anfield's Capacity to Increase as Liverpool Receive Approval from City Council

Liverpool's application to expand Anfield stadium has been approved by the city's council.

The Reds had earlier submitted an application to increase their stadium's capacity from 45,500 to 58,800 to the Liverpool City council, with the view of increasing their revenue through ticket sales.

The City council met at Liverpool Town Hall on Tuesday, where they approved the Merseyside club's proposal to increase their stadium capacity.

This new construction, which is scheduled to begin next year (with the aim of finishing before the 2016/17 season) , will see the addition of an extra tier in the main stand, which will increase the capacity by a further 8,500 seats.

Apart from that, the Anfield Road End's capacity will also increase by a further 4,800 seats. The club are also planning on installing some additional conference and banqueting facilities, along with a new club shop and more parking space.

Residents living nearby did raise some objections, citing that the stadium expansion would have a negative impact on the area near Anfield.

Preliminary work on the expansion has resulted in a number of houses on Lothair Road, which is just behind the main stand, being demolished by the builders.

Also, the residents have raised concerns about how the increased capacity of the stadium will have a negative impact on traffic in the nearby area on matchdays.

But, Liverpool major overruled their objections, insisting that the stadium's expansion, which is a part of the £260 million programme between the club, the town council and and local social housing group - Your Housing -- will be beneficial to the public.

"This is a very important milestone in our ambitions to transform the Anfield area, bringing new jobs, investment and housing," Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson told BBC. "Liverpool FC's proposals for the stadium are a key part of this."

The Merseyside club will also be able to host major international fixtures and European finals after the expansion as many parts of the stadium currently "fall below current Uefa and Premier League standards."

This proposal to expand Anfield, which was built in 1884, is the first note worthy development of the stadium since the old Kemlyn Road Stand was replaced by Centenary Stand in 1992.