If Selhurst Park is to grow by over 8,000 seats, the Croydon football club needs to find replacement housing for 4 families and reach agreement with one more. It's just the beginning of the planning process.

As announced in late 2017, Crystal Palace hope to expand Selhurst Park by over 8,000 seats by building a completely new main stand. The modern structure, designed by KSS Group, would not only increase attendance, but also boost matchday and weekday revenue.

The development expected to consume some £100 million might see groundbreaking in 2019 and take up to 2022 to fully open. But first there are some issues to be solved as Crystal Palace begin the planning route.

Report by Croydon council said the club was “still exploring ways” in which the proposed design can be altered to minimise the impact on residents. But it stated: “It is, however, clear that some housing would need to be displaced in order to accommodate the expanded stadium.”

A club spokesman said: “Five homes in Wooderson Close will be affected, four of which are council-owned and occupied by tenants, who have been advised by the council that they will need to be relocated if planning permission is granted.”

The four homes are all part of the same building, the closest one to the current west stand. Crystal Palace have already offered to take care of the affected families.

“The club has undertaken to fund the acquisition of suitable properties and to meet the associated costs. The club has contacted the owner of a privately owned, tenanted property which will lose part of its front garden.” the spokesman said.