The Belfast City Council’s planning committee approved Glentoran’s proposal for the redevelopment of the historic Oval stadium during a recent meeting.
The club, based in East Belfast, plans to demolish the existing stands and construct new ones that will host up to 4,000 fans, while also reconfiguring the terraces behind each goal to increase the stadium’s total capacity to 6,000 spectators.
In addition, new turnstiles and essential site improvements, including upgraded floodlighting, have been sanctioned as part of the ambitious overhaul of this iconic venue on Mersey Street.
The Oval is renowned as one of Northern Ireland’s most celebrated stadiums, frequently attracting groundhoppers from across the region. However, in a recent interview with BBC Sport NI, club owner Ali Shams Pour characterized the structure as “falling apart.”
The London-based entrepreneur, who recently boosted his ownership from 85% to 95%, noted that a complete stadium rebuild could cost around £20 million, contingent on how much funding the club receives from the highly anticipated Northern Ireland Football Fund.
Clubs throughout Northern Ireland are awaiting a decision on the allocation of £36 million in government funding, with Glentoran describing their application as “strong.”
“Obtaining planning consent marks a significant milestone in our goal to transform the BetMcLean Oval into a modern, multi-functional stadium that every Glentoran supporter can take pride in, and which aims to become the second major stadium for Northern Irish football,” Pour stated after the approval was granted.
“This initiative showcases my enduring commitment not only to Glentoran but also to the rejuvenation of East Belfast and the advancement of football across Northern Ireland,” he added.
“It is an ambitious, forward-thinking project that successfully merges top-tier football amenities with substantial social and economic benefits.”