Last updated on .From the section Football

Fulham have had plans approved to extend the capacity of their Craven Cottage ground to 30,000.

A London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham hearing has confirmed the club can refurbish its Riverside Stand.

Fulham will also open the riverside walk from Putney to Hammersmith for the first time in recent history.

Craven Cottage history 1896: After playing at 12 other grounds in the first 17 years of their existence, Fulham FC move into Craven Cottage

1905: A pavilion is built on the Stevenage Road side at a cost of £15,000. This building is what is now known as 'the cottage'

1938: The ground's attendance record is set, with 49,335 witnessing the visit of Millwall

1950: Fulham become the final top-flight club to install floodlights at their ground

2002: After becoming the last top-flight team to play in front of standing spectators, Fulham FC relocate to Queens Park Rangers' Loftus Road ground for two years while Craven Cottage is turned into an all-seater stadium

"It is vital that the club is given every opportunity to develop the facilities available," said Cottagers chief executive Alistair Mackintosh.

Mackintosh added: "This is extremely exciting news and we are all delighted with this outcome.

"I am confident that an increased capacity and major improvements to the facilities can help us deliver the chairman's vision of long-term growth and self sustainability for this football club."

Fulham's current capacity is 25,700 and until as recently as the 2001-02 season, contained areas of terracing for standing supporters.

The Riverside Stand backs onto the Thames and a recent poll of local residents revealed 91% were in favour of the stand being redeveloped.