Agenda item

AFC Bournemouth approached BCP Council in relation to their plans to expand Vitality Stadium at Kings Park.

On 1 October 2025 and on 14 October 2025, Cabinet and Council respectively approved the recommendations that officers negotiate Heads of Terms in relation to Option C (two leases) and then return to Cabinet and Council for a decision relating to those Heads of Terms.  

This report presents the negotiated Heads of Terms and associated values (agreed in principle, without prejudice and subject to contract and Council approval) agreed with AFC Bournemouth and recommends that they are accepted. This report requests authority for officers to instruct BCP’s property legal team accordingly and progress the leases to completion.

The information in the appendices is commercially sensitive. It is requested that the appendices are treated confidentially. 

The Portfolio Holder for Finance presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that AFC Bournemouth had approached BCP Council in relation to their plans to expand Vitality Stadium at Kings Park, and that on 1 October 2025 and on 14 October 2025, Cabinet and Council respectively approved the recommendations that officers negotiate Heads of Terms in relation to Option C (two leases) and then return to Cabinet and Council for a decision relating to those Heads of Terms.  

Cabinet was informed that the report presented the negotiated Heads of Terms and associated values (agreed in principle, without prejudice and subject to contract and Council approval) agreed with AFC Bournemouth and recommended that they are accepted.

In addition, Cabinet was advised that the report requested authority for officers to instruct BCP’s property legal team accordingly and progress the leases to completion.

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)            notes the decision of the Cabinet meeting held 1 October 2025 and Council Meeting held 14 October 2025;

(b)           approves the Heads of Terms (HOTs) recommended by officers for the Leasehold disposal of two parcels of land at Kings Park to AFC Bournemouth (Option C); and

(c)            instructs BCP officers to agree the recommended HOTs with AFC Bournemouth, instruct BCP’s legal team accordingly and progress the two leases to completion.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Finance

Reason

This report sets out the heads of terms for the re gearing of existing agreements between BCP Council and AFC Bournemouth at Kings Park to enable expansion of the Vitality Stadium. The regear will result in two leases, the terms of which reflect Best Consideration, in line with BCP Councils constitution and financial regulations.

By approving these recommendations, it will also:

- Enable existing leases to be regeared onto more appropriate terms

- allow this significant investment to be made into the area, improving the area for fans and park visitors

- and help AFC Bournemouth achieve compliance with Premier League regulations