ASTON VILLA ACADEMY PLANS

AS well as an indoor pitch plus changing rooms and a parents lounge, an outdoor 3G pitch will be built which is suitable for under 15/16 players.

There will also be three car parks with 445 parking spaces. Eventually a walkway will be built between the academy and the redeveloped North Stand at Villa Park.

A planning document said: “It is proposed that the academy will run between 4pm and 9pm Monday to Friday and alternate Saturdays, when AVFC are not playing at home. On average there will be approximately 70 players and 20 staff and parents on site at any one time, but this could be increased up to 100 players.

“During the daytime week-days the facility may be used by the club as part of its community programme and foundation work, though this is not a regular use. The submitted information advises that the daytime use would finish before the academy use starts. It is not proposed to open the site to the general public.”

A planning spokesman said: “Aston Villa already operates a training facility at Bodymoor Heath which is north of Sutton Coldfield and is approximately 12km from the stadium. The club have advised that the Bodymoor facility will become player training only for the AVFC players. The proposed development at Witton Road will enable growth in their youth training programme and not provide for professional player training.

“The academy will be run by AVFC for young people, by invitation. The facility will provide youth opportunities from age four upwards and expands the existing youth offer provided by the club.”