Top 10 stories of 2022
Our best-read story of the year was published just last week, as Aston Villa’s planning application for a £100m redevelopment was being reviewed.
Yesterday (December 22) it was announced that the plans are to go ahead.
Here is the most read story of the year below:
Aston Villa FC’s £100m plans for a revamp of its stadium are expected to be approved by Birmingham City Council next week.
The club is proposing to increase the stadium capacity to more than 50,000 and create a world-class sporting venue.
A wider masterplan is also being developed for Aston in collaboration with Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority, to ensure the club has a community impact beyond the stadium.
A £100m investment will be made in the first phase of improvements to Villa Park, with works estimated to take place late 2023 and construction completion toward the end of 2025.
The key areas of phase one involve:
- A brand-new North Stand wrapping into Trinity Stand
- Enhancements to the existing Trinity Stand
- The creation of Villa Live, a brand new standalone multi-use entertainment, community, and retail venue destination
- Redevelopment of the Witton Lane entrance and the public space around the North Stand
The club is set to submit a planning application for the redevelopment and expansion of the stadium at the end of August 2022.
When CGI images were first released about the plans, Aston Villa CEO Christian Purslow said: “Following a successful consultation period, we are pleased to announce that we will be submitting our proposals for the redevelopment and expansion of Villa Park at the end of the month.
“We have received a hugely positive response from the local community, our supporters and other stakeholders and are confident that this project will transform both the stadium and the local area.
“These new CGI images showcase our spectacular vision for Villa Park which includes a brand-new commercial destination, Villa Live and high-quality public space for the community. We look forward to continuing to work with all partners to realise our future vision.”
The move follows a public pre-planning application consultation that ran throughout June and July, in which nearly 10,000 residents and businesses, stakeholders and fans had their say on the plans.
Take a look at the list below to find out what else made the top ten:
Scores of jobs lost as fruit wholesaler files for administration
Investment bank signs deal for 110,000 sq ft office at Paradise Birmingham
Commodity trader buys Coventry City and launches late bid for CBS Arena
