CAPACITY at AFC Bournemouth’s ground looks set to increase by 27 per cent to 14,529 as part of new plans to improve the club’s facilities.

Hundreds attended a public exhibition today at Vitality Stadium, which at 11,464 currently has the lowest capacity of all Premier League stadia, where proposals to add a further 3,065 seats were unveiled.

This will see the development of a new permanent South Stand boasting 4,559 seats, as well as two smaller stands in the south-west and south-east corners accommodating 428 more seats each.

A visual of what the new South Stand would look like

Cherries boss Eddie Howe, who has guided the team 13 points clear of the relegation zone with just eight games left to play in their first top flight season, described the plans as “great news for the club”.

"We were aware that we have too few seats for our supporters,” he said. “I have said before, I get a lot of letters and it has been really difficult at times to turn people away from the ground.

"This will go some way to bridging that gap. I still feel in time, if we can consolidate our position in this league and do that again and again, which is going to be extremely tough, then the supporter base will grow.

“That is a challenge for the club to face long term but in the short term, this is really good news."

Fans looking at the plans at today's exhibition

The proposals also include pitch-level provision for another 30 wheelchair users, disabled toilets and bars on the ground and first floors. There would also be male and female toilets on the ground and second floors.

The plans will need to be approved by the Bournemouth Borough Council before work can begin so the club has not yet been able to formally confirm a start date.

Those viewing the proposals gave positive feedback, with fan Roy Norton telling the Echo that he felt increasing the capacity by small increments was the best way to do things while the club does not own the stadium.

"I think it is right not to venture into building a brand new stadium yet. You have only got to look at the likes of Bolton who have a huge stadium - but look likely to be in League One next season," he said.

Season ticket holder Dennis Medlycott also welcomed the plans, particularly the improvements for disabled fans - but expressed concern at the lack of a "plan B" if the improvements do not come to fruition this summer.

And former Cherries player Bill Heath, 81, said he had hoped to see an expansion closer to 20,000 seats.

"I am sure that the club would be able to sell that number of season tickets," he said, adding, however, that it should not be forgotten how far the club has come in recent times.