Glentoran have applied for a "big chunk" of the Northern Ireland Football Fund Glentoran were granted planning permission for the redevelopment of the Oval at a meeting of Belfast City Council's planning committee on Tuesday. Under the plans, the east Belfast club intend to demolish and replace the existing stands to accommodate 4,000 spectators, while reconfiguring the terracing behind both goals, bringing the total capacity to 6,000. New turnstiles and associated siteworks including new floodlighting have also been approved as the club seeks a major upgrade to the iconic stadium on Mersey Street. The Oval is one of the most famous sporting arenas in Northern Ireland, and apopular destination for groundhoppers, but in an interview with BBC Sport NI last week, owner Ali Shams Pour described the venue as"falling apart". The London-based businessman, who recently increased his stake in the club from 85 to 95%, added that the club could build a stadium for £20million but the level of redevelopment would depend upon how much of the long-awaited Northern Ireland Football Fund the club is granted. Football clubs throughout Northern Ireland are waiting for a decision on how the £36 million of government funding will be divided with Glentoran describing their application as "robust". "Securing planning approval is a major step forward in our plans to redevelop the BetMcLean Oval into a modern, multi-purpose stadium that every Glentoran fan can be proud of and one that has the potential to become Northern Ireland football's second stadium," Pour said in a statement after planning permission was granted. "This project reflects my long-term commitment not just to Glentoran, but to the regeneration of east Belfast and the growth of the game across Northern Ireland. "It's a bold, forward-looking vision that combines top-level football facilities with real social and economic impact." Glentoran beat Larne on penalties to win the County Antrim Shield in January Glentoran won the County Antrim Shield in January, their first piece of silverware since 2020, but missed out on European football, and the associated financial windfall, for a second season in succession. The club's sporting director Paul Millar said a redeveloped stadium would be a "game-changing project" should plans come to fruition. "Having worked closely on the planning application, I know just how much this decision means to everyone involved," he said. "It reinforces the strength of our submission to the NI Football Fund and underlines the serious intent behind our plans to deliver a modern stadium that meets the needs of players, supporters and the east Belfast community."
Approved plans could make Oval NI's 'second stadium'
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"Glentoran Receives Planning Approval for Oval Stadium Redevelopment"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Glentoran Football Club has received planning permission from the Belfast City Council's planning committee to redevelop the Oval stadium, a significant step towards modernizing one of Northern Ireland's most iconic sporting venues. The approved plans include demolishing and replacing the existing stands to increase the stadium's capacity to 6,000 spectators, including a reconfiguration of the terracing behind both goals. Alongside these changes, new turnstiles and floodlighting will also be installed as part of the club's ambitious upgrade initiative. The current state of the Oval has been described as deteriorating by the club's owner, Ali Shams Pour, who has emphasized the urgency of the redevelopment. The club is keen to secure a substantial portion of the Northern Ireland Football Fund, which has a total of £36 million earmarked for distribution among clubs across the region. Glentoran's application for funding has been characterized as 'robust', reflecting their commitment to revitalizing the stadium and enhancing the overall experience for fans and players alike.
Owner Ali Shams Pour, who recently increased his stake in the club, envisions the redeveloped Oval as a potential second stadium for Northern Irish football, highlighting the project's potential social and economic impact on the east Belfast community. Following the approval, Pour expressed optimism about the future, stating that the redevelopment aligns with his long-term commitment to Glentoran and the growth of football in the area. Sporting director Paul Millar echoed this sentiment, describing the redevelopment as a 'game-changing project' that could meet the evolving needs of players and supporters. The club recently celebrated a victory in the County Antrim Shield, marking their first silverware since 2020, but has faced challenges in qualifying for European competitions. The redevelopment of the Oval stadium is seen not only as a means to enhance the club's facilities but also as a catalyst for broader community engagement and development in east Belfast.
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