Villa Park Redevelopment

[Brazilian Villain]

We don’t need anything more than 55-60k capacity

I think that would be plenty too. Also agree that increasing capacity doesn't necessarily mean a better atmosphere.

[The Edge]

The Witton isn't particularly well utilised. I reckon we could go over the road with supports and all sorts to make it bigger. Equally the Trinity 3rd tier could be expanded too.

The problem is the sight lines of the houses behind, the top of the roof would obstruct their access to light.

It was the same when we built the current stand, they bought the houses behind, demolished them, and the gardens were added, as that space between houses and top of the stand had to be big enough to satisfy light requirements.

I've mentioned it on here previously. I know people who live in the streets behind the park and they have had prelimenary contact off the club to gauge people's opinions on the possibility of selling their property to the club.

[Dante Lavelli]

Next, I’d target the Trinity Road stand.  It’s not aged well and it strikes me there is more room and fewer houses nearby by comparison to the Witton/Doug.  I suspect most the stand would need to be demolished so they may as well square off the corner of the holte end too.  Basically a massive undertaking and should get us up to, and possibly beyond, 60k.

As others have outlined, the DES is restricted by the proximity of the terraced houses.  However, I think, there’s scope to extend at first floor level, above the road, to provide more catering/wc/places to spend money.  I don’t think there would be any rights of lights issues given the height is well below the existing.

[dave.woodhall]

The Witton isn't particularly well utilised. I reckon we could go over the road with supports and all sorts to make it bigger. Equally the Trinity 3rd tier could be expanded too.

The problem is the sight lines of the houses behind, the top of the roof would obstruct their access to light.

It was the same when we built the current stand, they bought the houses behind, demolished them, and the gardens were added, as that space between houses and top of the stand had to be big enough to satisfy light requirements.

The difference being that the houses were bought over several years, many were derelict already and prices were nowhere near as stratospheric as they are now. That's without the houses that would then be right next to the ground whereas they're currently a couple of streets away.

[IFWaters]

Would it be possible to reconstruct the Witton Lane into a Thunderbirds type facility where the stand rises from a recessed bunker topped with palm trees into a ginormous triple decker holding at least 25,000 with beer piped intravenously to each seat on match days?

[Drummond]

Surely they could just make it all out of glass and that'll let the light through.



*this is not entirely serious

[LeeB]

Would it be possible to reconstruct the Witton Lane into a Thunderbirds type facility where the stand rises from a recessed bunker topped with palm trees into a ginormous triple decker holding at least 25,000 with beer piped intravenously to each seat on match days?

Yeah, you could have tier you could swing up into place on match day, like a giant pirate ship.

Heck coukd make a killing marketing that.

[tomd2103]

We don’t need anything more than 55-60k capacity

I think that would be plenty too. Also agree that increasing capacity doesn't necessarily mean a better atmosphere.

Think.an extended North Stand and a 50k plus capacity would be fine for the short to medium term.  Let's see where we are then, especially as we'd have had time to assess a range of options.

[Louzie0]

LeeB’s idea could be adapted for a top tier of the Witton/Doug Ellis that sits on top of the present top tier and slides upwards with the roof to create a third tier when needed. This would mean it was in place for matches and could be kept down for light outside in between!

[AV82EC]

Barring someone inventing some solution for the mythical Witton Lane Third Tier I’m sticking with doing something with the Holte/Trinity Corner. I realise the proximity of a Grade 1 Listed Jacobean Mansion and its grounds means going over the road for both the Holte and Trinity is difficult but straightening up the Holte and Trinity would surely give us an extra 5k seats in that corner? My other grand plan would be to remove the appalling two tiers of the Holte End and replace it with a single tier with more capacity. These changes in that corner and a single tier Holte I think could get us somewhere north of 55k, possibly over 60k, which for a club that hasn’t won anything much for the last 3 decades is enough for the time being.

[Ads]

Buy the Holte Road houses. There isn't that many of them, possibly 8 that may be impacted. The McGregor Close ones all have high trees, but there's 6 that may be impacted.

[chrisw1]

Would it be possible to reconstruct the Witton Lane into a Thunderbirds type facility where the stand rises from a recessed bunker topped with palm trees into a ginormous triple decker holding at least 25,000 with beer piped intravenously to each seat on match days?

No, I don't think so tbh.  There would be all sorts of engineering issues and the costs would be prohibitive.  And you're not allowed alcohol in the stand either, so I'd say it's a non starter really.

[algy]

My first article published in H&V was titled ‘Dreams Can Come True’ and made the case for why we should have a 60k stadium. That was in 1994 and in the next issue there was an article by Martin Maine calling it a pipe dream. I’d be delighted if it happened. I wonder if he’s on here? He’s still right… so far!

Anyway, it’s idle and fun chatter amongst us but I’m sure the Atairos bods on the board are exploring every avenue.

Can you scan it for posterity and nostalgia-pangs please?

Sorry, I can’t. I’ve probably got it somewhere but no idea where to start looking.

No worries. I think DW once had plans to digitise the fanzine-archive for Golden Muppets/discerning subscribers. I'd definitely be in for that.

Me too

[algy]

Buy the Holte Road houses. There isn't that many of them, possibly 8 that may be impacted. The McGregor Close ones all have high trees, but there's 6 that may be impacted.

Yeah, I do wonder in a world where players get paid millions per year, we pay tens of millions in transfer fees and hundreds of millions to build a stand … I wonder if it’s really that big of an issue to offer the homeowners a million quid for their house, we pay for the removal firm and the admin - so they can just get a nice house fully paid off wherever they like and we’re able to build a bigger stand, and it’s cost less than what we’d pay for a squad player anyway.

[papa lazarou]

Would it be possible to reconstruct the Witton Lane into a Thunderbirds type facility where the stand rises from a recessed bunker topped with palm trees into a ginormous triple decker holding at least 25,000 with beer piped intravenously to each seat on match days?

No, I don't think so tbh.  There would be all sorts of engineering issues and the costs would be prohibitive.  And you're not allowed alcohol in the stand either, so I'd say it's a non starter really.

Also, I'm no arborist but would palm trees survive in  such an environment?