WORK on transforming Bloomfield Road into a 15,000 capacity all-seater stadium could begin in the close season.

Plans for the £10.75m development have been submitted to Blackpool Council and the club are hopeful approval will be granted.

If the go ahead is given the development will be phased over three to four years starting with the construction of a new West Stand in May.

During this period the stadium will remain operational.

The new stadium will include substantial hospitality facilities with 12 corporate boxes with views onto the pitch as well as a new club shop and administrative offices. A small hotel and conference facilities will also be integrated into the stadium with additional provision for a range of restaurant and fast food outlets. The initial development will be partly funded by the Football Trust with later phases funded by the development of the site and supplemented from commercial revenue within the new stadium.

The club has appointed Ballast Wiltshier PLC as the preferred contractor for the development.

The group has been involved in other stadia projects in the UK and Europe including Sunderland's Stadium of Light and Ajax's Amsterdam Arena.

Blackpool director Peter Whitehead said: "The scheme, designed in accordance with our brief, is very attractive in terms of appearance, functionality and potential increased revenue.

"The programming flexibility agreed with Ballast Wiltshier will greatly assist us overall and particularly in maintaining crowd capacities throughout the duration of the project.

"Both Ballast Wiltshier and the architects have a proven and creditable track record in respect of stadium design and development."

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