The club’s owner Burnden Leisure, which runs the arena on behalf of Bolton Council, plans to build 300,000 sq ft of commercial and office accommodation in a “grand arc” of seven-storey buildings on land next to the Reebok’s north stand.

The Reebok Stadium’s west stand will be expanded to provide up to 30,000 sq ft of accommodation, with new hospitality areas and administration facilities.

The scheme would also include a five-storey education building which could house a free school, new football pitches.

Club chairman Phil Gartside said: “In 1996, the club’s then board had the vision to build the Reebok Stadium. Now we are seeking to add to that vision with the planned creation of a major regional sports and education centre and offices at Middlebrook.

“This would maximise the potential of the existing facilities and develop further complementary elements. Our scheme includes working closely with the Bolton Arena Trust to reconfigure the arena. This would lead to a new sports building and also an upgrade of the football pitches and other sporting facilities, which would bring further benefits and usage for the community.

“There are also plans to build a new education and welfare building at the arena, along with the expansion of the West Stand at the Reebok Stadium. This would see the provision of up to 29,000 sq m of commercial and office accommodation adjacent to the stadium.

“In addition, we will continue upgrading our facilities at the academy, including permanent changing rooms at Lostock. These are all very exciting proposals and we will be working with local residents and all parties involved in these plans, as, together, we seek to make them a reality.”