Everton plan 52,000 capacity for new £500m stadium with potential for 10,000 more
Toffees line up application for Bramley-Moore Dock, including provisions for rail seating if the Prem allows safe standing
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EVERTON have proposed a capacity of 52,000 for their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, with the potential to rise to 62,000.
The Toffees also confirmed that provisions have been made for rail seating to be installed in the ground, should safe standing become allowed in the Premier League.
The club intend to submit a planning application in the second half of 2019, although the capacity and design of their £500m dockside ground could change subject to further consultation with supporters.
Goodison Park has been the home of Everton since its completion in 1892 and is only a short walk across Stanley Park to Liverpool’s stadium Anfield.
And the club confirmed they will outline planning application for the redevelopment of Goodison.
A club statement read: “The projected capacity takes into account several factors which include design and orientation of the stadium on a dock site, current and future ticket demand and forecast revenues and costs.
“The design of two of the stands will make it easy to adopt a rail seating/safe standing solution, which will offer optionality and flexibility, should the law change in future.
“The proposed figure follows extensive engagement with fans and consultation with a range of professional advisors who have expertise in stadium design and defining the optimum capacity for new stadia.”
Goodison Park holds just over 39,000, of which 32,000 are season-ticket holders.
There are a further 10,000 on the waiting list.
And stadium development director Colin Chong added: “We believe that our approach is the right one because it is commercially and financially sustainable and will mean that, in the long term, we will be able to increase the capacity should there be a demand and requirement to do so.
“Extensive work has gone into assessing the optimum capacity at the point of opening to create the best possible atmosphere for fans and, in turn, supporting the players on the pitch.
“At this stage it is not possible to say if and when any capacity expansion to an absolute maximum of 62,000 would take place. That would also be subject to further design work, fan and community consultation and planning approval.”
