Sheffield United Football Club (SUFC) has been given planning permission for the redevelopment of the South Stand at its Bramall Lane stadium by Sheffield City Council (SCC).

The scheme will include an additional tier of seating in the South Stand, which will complement the club's proposed redevelopment of the Kop stand in a bid to increase the venue's capacity to around 44,000 spectators. New purpose-built exhibition and conference facilities, additional banqueting space and new corporate suites are also proposed as part of the project, which it is hoped will boost the city's bid for host city status at the 2018 World Cup.

SUFC executive director Jason Rockett said: "Our focus remains firmly on achieving success on the pitch and the planned stadium developments will contribute to our continued long term strategy to drive off-the-field income for a sustainable business supporting further investment in the first team squad. "The next steps will be to firm up on design and delivery always ensuring we minimise potential disruption to supporters."

Plans for the redevelopment of Bramall Lane's Kop stand were given the green light earlier this year, which will increase its capacity by more than 3,200 seats and includes an undercover concourse with modern kiosks and toilet facilities and a second business enterprise centre between the Kop and South Stand.