Portsmouth FC get green light to upgrade Fratton Park

Portsmouth FC have finalised the contracts for a £26m redevelopment of Fratton Park which looks likely to be conducted in two stages.

The project, which is being carried out by contractor Barr will see capacity first increased by nearly 10,000 to 28,000, before the second stage results in 36,000 seats becoming available to fans

Chairman Milan Mandaric said: "There is still one hitch to be resolved with a small piece of land required but if we can acquire the same goodwill from this party as we have had from every other who has been working with us, there will be no obstacles.

"The club will now enter an intensive period of liaising with the various groups who will turn words into bricks and mortar."

A planning application is expected to be submitted during the summer. The local authority will then have to make a ruling within eight weeks.