CHARLTON’S long-term future prospects for a bigger and better Valley will be unveiled to the public next week.

Their application to redevelop the stadium will then be placed in the hands of Greenwich Council before the end of the month when design proposals are handed over.

The first phase of an ambitious plan could see the ground’s capacity increased from 26,875 to 40,600.

If successful, it would place the club among the elite of London, making Charlton the biggest club south of the River Thames.

Providing permission is granted, the first phase would increase the capacity to 39,900 and involve the construction of an extra tier on the East Stand,which would be joined to the Jimmy Seed Stand.

Peter Varney, Charlton’s chief executive, believes the development is crucial to the club’s ability to keep pace with the Premier League’s big clubs.

He said: "The application will seek approval for the redevelopment of the East Stand and the south east corner of the ground which would take the capacity of the ground to 39,900.

"It is also our intention to lodge an outline design for the remaining development of the stadium - principally the South Stand - and at the same time declare our intention to ultimately raise the capacity of The Valley to 40,600.

"The region is changing dramatically and there are plans for hundreds of thousands of new homes along with improvements in the transport infrastructure. Both of which will bring thousands of new people to the area.

"Therefore, Charlton are in the perfect position to be one of the biggest clubs in the country. And that is an opportunity we cannot miss."

The club are to stage an exhibition at The Valley for six days next week for the benefit of local residents who will be able to view the expansion proposals.

The dates are as follows: December 13: 12-5pm. December 14: 12-5pm. December 15: 12-9pm. December 16: 8.30am-12pm. December 17: 12-5pm. December 18: 10am-4pm.

Proposals to redevelop Charlton’s training facilities at Sparrows Lane will also be submitted on the same day.

Among the improvements planned for the New Eltham complex are an extension to the existing clubhouse to provide new press facilities, new kit storage facilities, a shooting tunnel and volleyball court, a Pierre Bolangi Memorial Garden as a lasting tribute to a former club junior who died in a swimming accident, a supaskills area for use by schools and the community plus a new building to accommodate a learning zone for the supaskills area along with offices for coaching staff.

Also proposed is the upgrade of pitches on the former Charlton Park Rugby Ground and Pippenhall Sports Ground.