Molineux expansion could begin in April

The £40 million transformation of Molineux is ready to start from next April after planning chiefs gave the green light.

Wolves owner Steve Morgan still has to decide in January when the time is right to begin the redevelopment, which will see the stadium's capacity increased from 29,408 to 37,000.

A planning consultant for the club said that it was intended to commence work in April or May of 2011 on the Stan Cullis stand, which would then be completed by August 2012.

The first phase alone would increase capacity to 32,000.

Councillors unanimously backed the scheme which will see the Stan Cullis stand demolished and replaced with a new two-tier stand, before the Steve Bull stand is rebuilt. A new store, museum, banqueting suites and cafe will also be created.

Peal House, the former base of construction giant Carillion, is to be redeveloped as a 180-space car park.

Concerns were raised at a meeting of Wolverhampton City Council's planning committee about the reduction of disabled parking bays from 46 to 12.

But speaking after the meeting Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey said this was only temporary during the construction phase.

He added: "We're very pleased. A lot of work has gone into it. The devil is always in the detail.

"While the work is going on we are going to lose half of the car park to the contractors and that is why we also have the Peal House application to ease any issues of space.

"Even during the construction phase we will be providing the number of disabled spaces required by legislation and when it's finished there will be three or four times the number."

It is believed Mr Morgan will assess the club's position both financially and in the Premier League when he decides whether to appoint contractors in January.

But Paul Stone, the club's planning consultant, said last night's decision sent "a message out to the city and the rest of the world that the club means business"