Watford Wins Approval For Stadium Upgrade

Premier League club Watford has been granted planning permission for the
first phase of its £32.5m development of the Vicarage Road stadium.

The approval for the redevelopment will see the ground’s capacity eventually
increase from 20,000 to 24,000.

The initial work involves a housing development at the Rookery End, which
will accommodate key workers from neighbouring Watford General Hospital.

The project, which is jointly funded by housing association Origin, will also
see the erection of a new East Stand.

Work on the first phase of the redevelopment will now begin in May.

Origin are contributing £19m to the initiative, which will lead to 180 homes
being built.

The club will contribute £13.5m, of which Origin will guarantee a further
£4m, with £3m coming from the revenue Watford expect to make during the next
three years.

Watford plan to raise the remaining £6.5m through long-term bank loans or
raising funds through the sale of shares.
Vicarage Road is also the home of
Guinness Premiership rugby union side Saracens.