Planning approval given for new grandstand at Maidenhead United

Planning approval has been given for the new 500-seater grandstand at York Road, home of Maidenhead United FC.

The application was approved yesterday (Wednesday) by the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead (RBWM) for the stand which will replace the existing structure on the railway side of the ground.

Maidenhead United chairman Peter Griffin was delighted by the news.

He said: "The club are delighted to announce that planning consent has been given by RBWM for the new grandstand situated on the railway side of the ground.

"This is a significant milestone in this project and now opens up the next phase which is grant applications. 

"The two main grants we are seeking are Football Stadia Improvement Fund (supported by the Football Association) and Section 106 developer contribution (RBWM)."

Griffin added that he wanted to have grant applications submitted by the end of August, the club will then launch a fundraising drive to try and help with the cost. This will include schemes such a seat sponsorship.

It is hoped construction will start by the beginning of the 2014 close season and the stand will take 14 weeks to build, meaning it is operation before the start of the 2014/15 campaign.