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

Rozeeboy74 added 14:36 - Mar 10 Long gone are the days when a dug out was exactly that, an area that was literally dug out. You could rest your chin at pitch level. The medic was just a guy with a bucket of iced water and a dirty sponge, some freeze spray if you were lucky. One sub. Sheepskin jackets. Cigars puffing. Some things were not better back then :-)
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norfsufblue added 15:27 - Mar 10 I still miss the A B C half time scores board😉🤣
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bluelodgeblue added 15:43 - Mar 10 Those who are sceptical regarding screens must remember we now have American owners? Dallas Cowboys have 2 screens 160' x 72' weighing over 540 tonnes each! Doesn't cause them any problems??
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Michael101 added 15:57 - Mar 10 Would have liked to see a 1 in front of the 2 on the score board.
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BotesdaleBlue added 16:47 - Mar 10 Like it norfsufblue
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johnwarksshorts added 16:52 - Mar 10 Looks classy.
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Paddy39 added 17:02 - Mar 10 Fix that blasted PA system. It's crap in the SBR North Stand and what about getting a proper Sky package for the bars so we can watch Jeff Stelling whilst having a beer. It all helps to make the match day experience. At least the footballs good.
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 17:58 - Mar 10 They should improve the beer offering, its basically undrinkable, I manage but only by drinking the Aspel
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KernewekBlue added 17:58 - Mar 10 The question I think is this... do we want to push the club into the 21st century, with all the ambition we can muster to climb back into the upper echelons of English football, or are we happy to sit back and watch our rivals leapfrog further ahead of us every season? I, for one, am happy our new owners and management are ploughing funds into the club to modernise and make us fit for Premier League competition. If we want to see top drawer football return to Portman Road, we need to look and act the part with all the technological upgrades that requires. I say, "Go for it!"

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jas0999 added 19:22 - Mar 10 Looks great!
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HalesworthBlue7 added 22:07 - Mar 10 Just a query the Americans have stated eventually they are looking to replace the cobbled stand has this been thought about when putting in the new large scoreboard , just a thought
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ArnieM added 22:23 - Mar 10 That's All about to change Micky 1560 👍
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