On Tuesday Fulham Football Club was granted permission to increase the capacity of its stadium by an additional 4,000 seats by Hammersmith and Fulham Council.

Approval has been given for the removal of existing Executive Boxes from the Riverside Stand, leaving more room for extra seats, and corporate facilities will be refurbished, allowing the club to maximise revenue from corporate events.

Works will include the replacing windows on the first floor with a fully glazed projection that will echo the curve of the river edge, enhancing the aesthetics of the stand and views across the river.

The Club's refurbishment programme guarantees a range of planning benefits including a funding contribution of £1m towards the enhancement of Bishops Park - as planned by the Bishops Park Stakeholders Group and the opening up of a new river walk to allow people to walk the length of the Thames from Putney to Hammersmith Bridge unimpeded by the football ground.

The "listed" turnstiles in the Johnny Haynes stand will also be fully restored.

Additional space in the Johnny Haynes Stand has been identified and Executive Boxes will be added to provide hospitality accommodation for corporate client. The club will work closely with English Heritage, to design sympathetically to ensure we retain the character and architectural uniqueness of the listed Stand.

It is also the intention to begin work in the Hammersmith End, where planning for a restaurant with views across the river has already been granted.

Emma Midgley