Stand planned at new Wolves training ground

Floodlights and a stand for dozens of spectators will be added to Wolves' new £50 million training ground under new plans revealed today.

Under the development on green belt land at Compton Park, the grounds will be expanded for a "world class" academy to be created, with St Edmunds Catholic School being moved.

It will occupy land previously housing Wolverhampton University's business school and 55 luxury homes will be built.

Bosses today said they had been told of the need for floodlights as part of a Premier League audit. A mini stand for up to 60 spectators will also be installed.

Floodlights are a requirement to be recognised by the league as a Category One academy, which can sign and train the best young players.

Spokesman Matt Grayson said: "The club has submitted a planning application for floodlighting on the existing academy training pitch and some temporary seating to more comfortably accommodate watching parents.

"The pitch isn't directly overlooked by any residential dwellings and the temporary seating is simply to provide better facilities for existing parents.

"This additional application has been submitted following a recent Premier League audit, which occurred after the main planning application was submitted.

"The audit recommended these relatively minor improvements. The club has no further plans for any other planning applications."

A decision will be taken by the city's planning committee.

Fears had originally been raised by residents that the transformation of the Compton Park site could lead to traffic problems along Compton Road West and that the development would take over open space.

But the plans were given the backing of council planning officers.

By Daniel Wainwright