Town have an “in-principle agreement” in place for around 3,635m² of land behind the existing Cobbold Stand ahead of a future redevelopment, according to Ipswich Borough Council (IBC).

On Saturday, Blues chairman and CEO Mark Ashton said the club had “agreed to buy the land behind the Cobbold Stand” with the replacement of the 53-year-old structure a medium-to-long-term aim.

TWTD reported at the weekend that the land concerned stretches well into the Portman Road car park in front of IBC’s aquatics centre development, plans for which were announced earlier in the year.

An IBC spokesperson confirmed: “The redevelopment of the Portman Road area is an exciting project and partnership between Ipswich Borough Council and Ipswich Town Football Club.

“There is an in-principle agreement in place, though the specific terms are yet to be finalised.

“The comprehensive design work included in the Portman Road masterplan, features plans for an aquatics centre, a multi-storey car park, a hotel and designated space for Ipswich Town Football Club's development and expansion.

“The area in question covers approximately 3,635m² and is an integral part of the masterplan.”

It’s understood the area will cover both the physical building of the the cantilevered structure and also its overhang.

Photo: Matchday Images

OldFart71 added 13:21 - Oct 23 The current capacity at PR is 30,000, take away the capacity of the Cobbold leaves 23,000. In order to make PR a 40,000 seat stadium that means the new stand needs a capacity of 17,000. That would be on a par with the development at Anfield where their new stand holds a little over 20,500. That would be massive. It might be that it would be nearer the 12,000 mark giving a capacity of 35,000 maybe.

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BotesdaleBlue added 15:49 - Oct 23 I think you are on the right lines OldFart71. I agree any new stand would, I imagine, add 5,000-6,000 to the gate, tops. I just cannot see it adding 10,000 or anything close to it. Clearly, an additional tranche of seats gets added to grounds when the corners get filled it, but that's another thing that is unknown at this point. I still think any development is a far few years away as yet.

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blues1 added 17:40 - Oct 23 Slade1. The council don't own the stadium. Only the land it's built on. The club owns the stadium.
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rkl added 19:13 - Oct 23 Fast forward a few more years, Pioneer Stand next?
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BigscarfAl added 21:03 - Oct 23 Same as some others on here we had to move for the away fans. Ticket office have been helpful in trying to find us other seats. We did try high up in the West stand and I have to say the view form there is nowhere as good as from the old C block . Now moved back to A in the cobbold. Would have thought a new stand could be built whilst the original is still in place ....to a degree. Probably ought to use better architects than the ones who designed the Pioneer/West stand as its really annoying not being able to see the edge of the pitch!

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Bluearmy_81 added 08:05 - Oct 24 Would be very small minded/thinking to go to all the effort of replacing the Cobbold to add just 5k seats. Americans don’t do small… With the demand for seats there are we will be looking at 38k minimum, more like 40k
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