Defence Online

Plans by Heart of Midlothian Football Club to build a £12 million new stand at its Tynecastle stadium in Edinburgh have been approved by councillors.The club’s existing main stand will be partially demolished to make way for the upgrade, which will see the stadium transformed into a 20,000-plus capacity stadium in time for the 2017-18 season.The plans, which also include a new children’s nursery and play area, are subject to certain conditions involving health and safety, which Hearts have vowed to adhere to.Adding 3,000 seats to the current capacity, the column free design will include two big screens and entertainment suites. The three existing stands will also be given a makeover including improved toilet and kiosk facilities.Club owner and chair Ann Budge told the City of Edinburgh Council’s development management subcommittee that the project would allow the club to host additional games, however these were likely to be in the “single figures”.The committee heard that it would be unlikely that the club would host other events such as music concerts, to avoid damaging the pitch and causing noise pollution for residents of neighbouring tenements.