AFC BOURNEMOUTH have unveiled plans for a new stand at Vitality Stadium.

Dean Court - currently named Vitality Stadium in a sponsorship deal - has the lowest capacity of any Premier League club at 11,464, and the new proposals would see a new permanent South Stand constructed, with the south west and south east corners of the stadium filled in around it.

Cherries, who face Swansea at home on Saturday afternoon, won promotion to the Premier League last season after a six year climb from the bottom of Division Two, and they are currently in 14th place and 11 points clear of the relegation zone.

Cherries’ chief executive Neill Blake said: “We are now nearing the end of a truly groundbreaking season for AFC Bournemouth, the first of the club’s 118-year history to be played in the top flight of English football.

“Whilst we are delighted with the progress that the team has been making on the pitch in the Barclays Premier League, we are fully aware that demand for tickets far outweighs our current capacity and we hope that developing a new South Stand will give more supporters the opportunity to come and watch their local football team.”

At present the club has said it is unable to release further details on the plans, including what the new capacity will be and when a planning application might be submitted. It is also not clear when construction may take place if the plans are approved.

“We believe the plans we have proposed are sympathetic to local residents and members of the general public alike, and we hope that with this sensitive development we will continue to build a football club that the town can be proud of,” said Mr Blake.

“While the club’s success has brought a new national and international focus on the town, our local community has always been an important and vital element of the football club. Therefore we are inviting local people to come to the club later this month to share our proposals with them.”

The plans will be on display at the stadium between 4-7pm on Thursday next week, March 17.