BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
Hearts have moved a step closer to the construction of a new main stand at Tynecastle Stadium after submitting a pre-application notice to the City of Edinburgh Council.
With the planned work deemed ‘Major’ by the authorities due to its scale, the capital club must now enter into an eight-week consultation process as their ambitious plans gather pace.
Hearts owner Ann Budge has confirmed that, should planning permission be granted, preparatory work on the land should begin in the Autumn and the project is estimated to be completed early in the 2017/18 season.
The new stand, which will replace the antiquated 101-year-old structure, will boast around 7000 seats and raise the capacity of the stadium to more than 20,000.
The paperwork submitted on Monday confirmed the addition of new hospitality suites, vastly improved facilities for players and officials, a club shop and ticket office, while enhancing the access options for disabled supporters.
A plan to work with the local council to “regenerate the McLeod Street streetscape” has also been confirmed.
