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SoL To Undergo Multi-Million-Pound Investment Programme


tunstallhill said:
There is no way in a million years that the east stand or south stand is getting extended at the end of this season. Unless the process is well on its way already, in which case it would be publicly available to view on the planning portal.

They may be looking at it in the background but it will be the end of 26/27 season at the earliest.
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From a selfish point of view I want it extended ASAP.

I'm locked out of the Saudi match and other tickets are a scramble so increased capacity would benefit me.

I initially thought an extension would come sooner rather than later due to high demand but maybe not.
 
RedandWhiteRebel said:
But would they really go through the trouble and cost of bringing in a big crane to install new signs if they had plans to lift the roof off anytime soon.

Surely they would wait and do it all at the same time if plans were in the pipeline.
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What’s to say there’s any plans any time soon to do an extension? All I’ve saw is speculation or people on here wanting it to happen. I personally still think it would be madness to go ahead and do anytime soon. Need to give it a few years imo to see if the sustained demand is still there. In answer to the question though, yes, adding a few small ish letters in the grand scheme of the entire East Stand roof I doubt would impact any extension.
 
RedandWhiteRebel said:
From a selfish point of view I want it extended ASAP.

I'm locked out of the Saudi match and other tickets are a scramble so increased capacity would benefit me.

I initially thought an extension would come sooner rather than later due to high demand but maybe not.
Click to expand...

they'll want at least two full seasons in the premier league with no sign of a) relegation and b) financial problems, coupled with a continuation of sell out crowds the whole time, before they'll commit - in my opinion.

we are only 11 games into our premier league return, there is plenty time for it to go tits up, and we'll be back in the championship rarely selling out the current capacity
 
tunstallhill said:
they'll want at least two full seasons in the premier league with no sign of a) relegation and b) financial problems, coupled with a continuation of sell out crowds the whole time, before they'll commit - in my opinion.

we are only 11 games into our premier league return, there is plenty time for it to go tits up, and we'll be back in the championship rarely selling out the current capacity
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And that would be complete common sense from a business sense and every other sense, so let’s hope it is the case.
 
vinegar hill said:
I always thought it was under Bob Murray when we had the first record low points total relegation.
He laid off a couple of hundred staff and switched the lights off as part of the cost cutting.
I might be wrong though.
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Think your right, only had them on for a few years.
Sgt Pepper said:
What’s to say there’s any plans any time soon to do an extension? All I’ve saw is speculation or people on here wanting it to happen. I personally still think it would be madness to go ahead and do anytime soon. Need to give it a few years imo to see if the sustained demand is still there. In answer to the question though, yes, adding a few small ish letters in the grand scheme of the entire East Stand roof I doubt would impact any extension.
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The only thing that the club have confirmed is that on 25 July 2025 the Club submitted a pre-application enquiry to the Council in respect of new, updated proposals to redevelop an extended South Stand. This proposal represents a further step towards the Club’s vision of a 66,000 seat stadium (which will ultimately be achieved by extending the East Stand, which was designed in a manner that would facilitate such an outcome).
 
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DiscopantsSoL said:
Think your right, only had them on for a few years.

The only thing that the club have confirmed is that on 25 July 2025 the Club submitted a pre-application enquiry to the Council in respect of new, updated proposals to redevelop an extended South Stand. This proposal represents a further step towards the Club’s vision of a 66,000 seat stadium (which will ultimately be achieved by extending the East Stand, which was designed in a manner that would facilitate such an outcome).
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So what’s a pre application mean in terms of actual solid plans and a timeline? tunstallhill works in the industry iirc and doesn’t seem to suggest anything is anywhere near (and rightly so imo).
 
Sgt Pepper said:
So what’s a pre application mean in terms of actual solid plans and a timeline? tunstallhill works in the industry iirc and doesn’t seem to suggest anything is anywhere near (and rightly so imo).
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Pre-app planning is the process of obtaining advice from a planning officer before submitting a formal planning application to help ensure it has the best chance of success. This involves early discussion with local authorities to understand policies, identify potential issues, determine required information, and resolve problems before a formal application is submitted, which can save time and money. It typically involves meetings, the exchange of preliminary documents, and provides an informal but non-binding view on the proposal.
 
Sgt Pepper said:
So what’s a pre application mean in terms of actual solid plans and a timeline? tunstallhill works in the industry iirc and doesn’t seem to suggest anything is anywhere near (and rightly so imo).
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This might be a bit outdated, but we are currently at stage 0, possibly Stage 1.

Stage 7 is when we actually get to use the new extension -

RIBA Plan of Work – The 8 Stages

🔵 Stage 0 — Strategic Definition

Establish the project’s need and feasibility.

Consider site options, funding, client requirements.

No design yet — high-level strategy only.



---

🟣 Stage 1 — Preparation & Briefing

Develop project objectives and constraints.

Prepare the initial Project Brief.

Assemble the project team.

Early cost planning and risk assessment.



---

🟢 Stage 2 — Concept Design

Initial design ideas and sketch proposals.

Explore options for layout, form, materials.

Set the Concept Design that responds to the brief.



---

🟡 Stage 3 — Spatial Coordination

(Previously “Developed Design”)

Coordinate architectural, structural, MEP designs.

Designs become more detailed and integrated.

Updated cost plan, planning application usually submitted here.



---

🟠 Stage 4 — Technical Design

Full technical drawings and specifications.

Finalise all details for construction.

Building regulations and tender documentation prepared.



---

🔴 Stage 5 — Manufacturing & Construction

Construction works take place on site.

Off-site manufacturing (if any) completed.

Regular site inspections and contract administration.



---

🟤 Stage 6 — Handover

Building completed and handed over to the client.

Snagging, commissioning, user training.

Preparation for occupation.



---

⚫ Stage 7 — Use

Post-occupancy evaluation.

Building maintenance and review.

Feedback to improve future projects.
 
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tunstallhill said:
This might be a bit outdated, but we are currently at stage 0, possibly Stage 1.

Stage 7 is when we actually get to use the new extension -

RIBA Plan of Work – The 8 Stages

🔵 Stage 0 — Strategic Definition

Establish the project’s need and feasibility.

Consider site options, funding, client requirements.

No design yet — high-level strategy only.



---

🟣 Stage 1 — Preparation & Briefing

Develop project objectives and constraints.

Prepare the initial Project Brief. In 2025, Sunderland AFC re-engaged architects Holmes Miller to revisit the South Stand expansion with a renewed brief—one that reflects not only the club’s evolving needs but also its civic responsibility. The new design aims to enhance the stadium’s relationship with the city, particularly in light of improved access from the city centre via the pedestrian bridge.

Assemble the project team.

Early cost planning and risk assessment.



---

🟢 Stage 2 — Concept Design

Initial design ideas and sketch proposals. All available to see in document 25_01416_HY3-SAFC_OBJECTION_REDACTED-1746549 submitted to council

Explore options for layout, form, materials. All available to see in document 25_01416_HY3-SAFC_OBJECTION_REDACTED-1746549 submitted to council

Set the Concept Design that responds to the brief.



---

🟡 Stage 3 — Spatial Coordination

(Previously “Developed Design”)

Coordinate architectural, structural, MEP designs.

Designs become more detailed and integrated.

Updated cost plan, planning application usually submitted here.



---

🟠 Stage 4 — Technical Design

Full technical drawings and specifications.

Finalise all details for construction.

Building regulations and tender documentation prepared.



---

🔴 Stage 5 — Manufacturing & Construction

Construction works take place on site.

Off-site manufacturing (if any) completed.

Regular site inspections and contract administration.



---

🟤 Stage 6 — Handover

Building completed and handed over to the client.

Snagging, commissioning, user training.

Preparation for occupation.



---

⚫ Stage 7 — Use

Post-occupancy evaluation.

Building maintenance and review.

Feedback to improve future projects.
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So we are at Stage 2 then based on that.
 
RedandWhiteRebel said:
From a selfish point of view I want it extended ASAP.

I'm locked out of the Saudi match and other tickets are a scramble so increased capacity would benefit me.

I initially thought an extension would come sooner rather than later due to high demand but maybe not.
Click to expand...
Demand has only outstripped supply for a few months in the last 20 years - mainly now that we're near the top of the Premiership. Probably need to test the waters and become an established Premier League team first. Might end up not needing the extra capacity if we settle down into a mid-table team.
The demands of our fair weather fans are an unkown at the moment.
 
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Longy said:
It would be class, but sure it was under Quinn when he turned them on, then turned them off again because of the cost. Can only imagine maintenance & running costs would be mental these days.

The lettering that they’ve put up is a one off. I’d guess that would be a full on financial commitment
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Depends if you can factor in low energy consuming bulbs and then offset it with things like solar panels.
 
Longy said:
Think Quinn switched them back on & realised the cost!
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Use the coal from under the stadium to power them. Sell the excess to fund new players. Discount tickets for a turn down the mine. The first energy self sufficient football club.

The Mags funded by Saudi Oil, head chopping, and stonings.
Sunderland fuelled by County Durham coal, and Double Maxim.

Start up the search lights Ha'way the Lads!
 
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Stella Spark said:
Demand has only outstripped supply for a few months in the last 20 years - mainly now that we're near the top of the Premiership. Probably need to test the waters and become an established Premier League team first. Might end up not needing the extra capacity if we settle down into a mid-table team.
The demands of our fair weather fans are an unkown at the moment.
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You need to factor in how much demand has changed in 20 year. Poster after poster neglect to do this.

We got better crowds in league one recently than we did under mic mac champ teams and Keane.

The sol isn’t big enough for a premier league SAFC.

“What happens if we go down” - luckily the current ownership don’t think like that. And as fans we shouldn’t.
 
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