Images and further details relating to the club’s planning application for work at Portman Road, which will see a big screen in the corner between the Sir Alf Ramsey and Cobbold Stands and new dugouts, have appeared on Ipswich Borough Council’s website.

The documents, which can be found on IBC’s website, outline the proposals and show images of how Portman Road will look once the work is complete.

Designed by local architects Hoopers, the work which will see the big screen put in place will also see a new access access point to facilitate the installation of the new Desso pitch [a hybrid natural grass artificial fibre surface].

“The proposals within the south east corner are to remove the existing concrete quadrant terracing and concessions outlets below,” the Design and Access Statement reads. “The ‘cuts’ made through the edges of the stands will then be retained by new reinforced in situ concrete walls, providing support for the structure and safety for the supporters.

“The new access provides a minimum of 4.5m access width onto the pitch for large vehicles, in the first instance to facilitate the replacement of the pitch next season, and then later to help support the stadiums use a concert venue in future close seasons.

“The corner will then be augmented with a ‘big screen’ digital entertainment display. This will be procured via a leading specialist supplier, providing spectators with a large format screen for the first time. No additional sound is to be provided as part of these proposals, the existing stadium PA system will continue to be used.

“The big screen will be supported via steel framed support, designed to closely align with the existing large scale structure of the well established South Stand. This will be finished in white.”

While most of that corner is currently unseated, the work will require the removal of some seats on the end of the lower tier of the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand.

Regarding the new dugouts, the document adds: “Improvements to the existing dugouts are long overdue. The improvement are aimed at dramatically improving the facilities for players and staff of the club, and those of visiting teams.

“The aim of the proposals is to bring the current arrangement up to the standard required by Premier League clubs, the clear aspiration of the club owners being to take the club back to the
top tier of English football.

“It is also the intention to bring back into use a number of seats that are currently not able to the used. The current level of interest in the club given the investment being made is already bringing in circa 20,000 fans for every home game, which is phenomenal given their current position in League One.

“The plans indicate additional seating to the left of the home dugout, as well as seating available behind the away dugout.

“As above, the proposals represent a layout compliant with all of the relevant Premier League standards, including 16 high quality seats for staff and players, as well as the required accommodation for medical and officiating staff. The proposals here will future proof the club as they move forward.”

Town will be giving further information on the plans in due course: “The club is aware of the plans that have been published regarding development of facilities at Portman Road. We will communicate more in the coming days.”

Photos: ITFC

TrumptonBlue added 09:51 - Mar 10 Nice choice of scoreline in the mock-up.
45

Mark added 09:55 - Mar 10 Those look like electronic advertising boards around the pitch. I don't look forward to those flashing during the game. The screen is OK, I like the score on it but don't look forward to VAR at Portman Road. Overall the pitch and stadium enhancements are very welcome, just go easy on the adverts please.
0

earlsgreenblue added 09:58 - Mar 10 Spotted that, good choice……..”No goal”
0

Flamencaman added 09:59 - Mar 10 This is like living in a parallel world money on the team money on infrastructure new pitch, a footballing manager and staff, I have my plane tickets for Wembley end of May COYB
7

grow_our_own added 10:01 - Mar 10 Screen and dugouts look great, but it's the new pitch that will make the big difference to ITFC. If there's any choice in how these works are prioritised, relaying the pitch should happen in the summer. Look at our results in recent seasons. They've been better on good surfaces, better in late summerearly autumn. If we're L1 again next season, where many away grounds have bad pitches, we can make Portman Road a fortress. Can pass sides off the park like we used to in the 70s and 80s (before west stand was built), when our pitch was a bowling green. Rebuild our "attractive Ipswich" "everyone's second club" passing identity.

3

TractorCam added 10:02 - Mar 10 Mark, VAR is only in the Prem. I presume they've added that touch in the design to show the ambitions.
2

Runner added 10:04 - Mar 10 Reference the scores on the board, that is a result from next season.
4

BeattiesBackPocket added 10:17 - Mar 10 Mark we could've done with VAR Tuesday two blatant pens would've been given against Wolfie being pulled down twice. I get your sentiments though VAR does suck the fun out the game
1

blues1 added 10:26 - Mar 10 Grow our own. They cannot put in the undersoil heating and the new pitch until the changes to the dugouts, etc have been done. Thats why the pitch likely to come later.
4

blues1 added 10:30 - Mar 10 Mark. Why do you think they look like flashing advertising boards? Look just as they are right now. But even if they are, you don't have to look at them. Noticed at wimbledon where they have them, if ur watching the game you don't even notice them. Mind you, if the games rubbish would give you something else look at.lol
1

Mark added 10:33 - Mar 10 There is talk of 'VAR light' in the Football League from 2023-24. I am not a fan, it's hard to properly celebrate a goal knowing VAR may rule it out a minute or two later. VAR and flashing animated adverts could diminish the Portman Road experience, but I hope that doesn't happen. It is great that we finally have investment in the stadium though after years of decline.
1

JewellintheTown added 10:49 - Mar 10 Big question is, can you fit an open top bus through it?
0

FramlinghamBlue added 10:59 - Mar 10 I would have thought the Winter World Cup and early start dates for the EFL (July) mean that there won't be enough time for the pitch.
1

clive_baker added 11:11 - Mar 10 All encouraging signs that the owners are in this to invest for the longer term. If these additions can support in a) maximising non playing revenues and b) give the team the best chance of success on the pitch then great. The VAR debate is obviously a wider one than ITFC and one that we won't have much of a voice in. Personally I don't like it, let the refs ref and just get on with it. Mistakes will happen, but the absolute essence of watching live sport is that moment of jubilation, I don't like it being tempered by the prospect of it being disallowed 3 minutes and 70 replays later. Goal line tech is fine, but VAR is a step too far.

3

Orraman added 11:14 - Mar 10 This is great news and I look forward to the new arrangements to take place. However I was disappointed to read that there are no plans to improve the sound system. Sitting as I do in the Magnus (formerly Co-op) stand any announcements are completely unintelligible. The only announcement which comes over loud and clear is the obligatory Evacuation message. Watching games on TV or listening to away games on radio other grounds seem to have much clearer systems. All Fleetwood's announcements on Saturday were loud and clear over Brenner's commentary - if they can install such a good system surely it is not beyond ITFC to do the same. I realise huge amounts of money will be spent this summer on ground improvements but would a few grand for new speakers break the bank?

6

Freddies_Ears added 11:40 - Mar 10 The sound system is being worked on this summer, but not in a way that requires planning permission. It is a big old job, needs a cherry-picker on the pitch so can't be done during the season.
1

ArnieM added 11:51 - Mar 10 They're going to gain access to the pitch for the cherry picker, via a big whole Bering punched through the existing structures in the corner of Cobbold / SAR stands…..finishing by a nice little tidy up by putting a brand new large screen in that corner. All very energy / construction efficient!
1

Kev_b22 added 11:52 - Mar 10 Great and welcome upgrades for sure..! Will be very nice to see PR finally get the upgrades and TLC it so much deserves. Unfortunate that the pitch cannot be done this summer but the information provided to us from Mr Ashton was clear as to the reasons why and the plans and changes that need to be put in place first... The one thing that did catch my attention was that 'they will continue with the existing PA system'. In my opinion the system is still awful in a few sections of the ground and was an item that was at the very top of their list to address. I am hoping that if it will be the same system, but maybe with replacement and repositioned speakers etc. It definitely needs further attention in the terraces and the concourses.

1

Bazza8564 added 12:36 - Mar 10 Loving the redesigns, hoping some of the work will be done this summer, thats the key bit we await. On the advertising boards, I have to say I cant personally wait for electronic ones, perhaps then we will finally be rid of those horrid ads on the Cobbold exec boxes which frankly say "we are poor and you can sponsor a players AR*E if you've got money! Dreadful things, have always hated them, make the stadium look so cheap.... `oh, and for those who don't want them, just remember you can sell different ads for different companies at different games, massive revenue generator if you get it right!

1

jayceee added 13:24 - Mar 10 Feels like the next few years of being an ITFC supporter could be very exciting. Providing we don't see the world spiralling further in to chaos that is...
1

arc added 13:36 - Mar 10 Does anyone know anything about this new "Desso" pitch? I hope it's not too plastic! Not a whiff of controversy about it, as far as I am see.
0

Cakeman added 13:40 - Mar 10 Any improvement is much welcome as our current home is extremely tired. Would liked to have seen a new pitch with undersoil heating as a priority though.
1

Westy added 13:50 - Mar 10 Nice touch with the scoreline on the computer image.
0

Bazza8564 added 14:00 - Mar 10 Just found this on the portal, looks like work on access, screen and dugouts this summer, pitch next summer "This statement has been prepared on behalf of the applicant in support of their Full Planning Application for the upcoming works to the Portman Road Stadium, planned for the Summer of 2022. The proposals comprise the partial demolition and alteration to the South East Corner of the Stadium between the existing South Stand and East Stand, proposed alterations to dramatically improve the home and away Trainer and Technical areas (Dug-Outs), and the installation of a new ‘Big Screen' over the altered South East Corner. The above comprises work to be carried out at the end of the 2021-2022 season, the proposals forming essential works to enable future proposed works to the existing playing surface at the end of the 2022-2023 season."

1

micky_1560 added 14:11 - Mar 10 Went for the first time in many a year against Lincoln, 75 - 81 watched home and away. One thing I noticed was how tired the ground looked and sitting pitch side in the Cobbold stand, you couldn't hear anything related on the PA system.
1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls