A detailed planning application for the first phase is to be presented to Sheffield Council by the end of the month with building work pencilled in to begin around the middle of 2009.

Initially the Kop end of the Bramall Lane ground will be extended by 3,000 seats to bring capacity up to 36,000 but there are now further plans to extend the South Stand to make the ground big enough to stage World Cup matches if England's bid to host the 2018 tournament is successful.

The South Stand development will be the subject of an outline planning application later this year.

The rebuilt Kop will include a new cantilevered roof allowing the removal of existing pillars which restrict views of the pitch.

A new business centre will also be built between the Kop and South Stand, making Bramall Lane completely enclosed following recent developments in other corners of the ground.

Sheffield United chief executive Jason Rockett said: "Over recent years we have upgraded supporters' facilities, have increased the capacity to just under 33,000 and seen the club become the best supported in the Championship.

"We continue to plan for the medium to long-term, putting in place the infrastructure to support a growing fan base and with an intention of achieving our main objective, promotion and sustained Premier League football.

"We have also taken a longer-term view and identified the opportunities around the South Stand which would enable Sheffield and Bramall Lane to be a part of any 2018 bid."

The club will begin an extensive consultation programme with local community groups, fans and shareholders, local residents, councillors and constituency MP Richard Caborn.

The plans also include new community facilities involving a multi-use games area and a student accommodation block to be built on the corner of John Street and Shoreham Street.

The club has not yet decided how fans might be relocated during building work.

An exhibition of the plans will be held from next Monday to Saturday in the reception area of the John Street stand, with club representatives on hand to explain the proposed development.