Approval set for Bristol Rovers' new stadium
BRISTOL Rovers' new £40 million stadium is set to gain approval in seven days' time.
Planning officers have recommended that South Gloucestershire councillors give the scheme the go-ahead when they meet next Thursday to decide on its future.
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What the new Bristol Rovers stadium at UWE could look like
In a 61-page report councillors have been recommended to allow the stadium to be built, once agreement has been reached on traffic issues. News of the officers' recommendation has been welcomed by Rovers chairman Nick Higgs.
He told the Post: "Obviously this is a very important step forward, that the planning officers are recommending approval, but we realise that ultimately the decision lies with the councillors that meet next week.
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"The recommendation shows that we have done everything to comply with the planning regulations."
The club wants to build the new 21,700-seat ground next to Hewlett Packard's Bristol base on the northern fringe of the city. The site was bought by the University of the West of England, which has entered into a unique partnership with the club to build the stadium.
Approval for the new ground is subject to payment of at least £140,000 towards parking schemes to minimise the impact of stadium crowds on nearby roads, and upgrading traffic lights at nearby Abbey Wood roundabout.
Under the officers' recommendation, once the details have been agreed between the club, UWE and South Gloucestershire, a senior council officer would have the power to grant final approval without the scheme going back to a committee.
The traffic and parking deal will see the club and UWE contribute to parking schemes at Cheswick Village – the vast new development taking shape in Stoke Park – and UWE allowing car parks on its nearby campus to be used for stadium events.
But the plans are also dependent on planning permission being given for a Sainsbury's supermarket at the Memorial Stadium in Horfield. The new supermarket is needed to help fund the cost of building the new ground.
If all goes to plan, Rovers hope to see the new stadium built in time for the 2014/15 season.
Plans submitted to the council include erection of the 21,700 seater new sports stadium as well as hospitality areas, a club shop, bars, offices, gym, banqueting facilities, Media Study Centre/UWE Teaching Space and construction of a car park with space for 1,000 vehicles.
The proposal says the new stadium could be used for up to 18 Bristol rugby matches per season, as well as other events, including concerts.
The report said that the council had received 1,126 letters of support for the proposal and 154 letters of objection.
Objectors included local residents, Stoke Gifford Parish Council and Hewlett Packard – but the American-based computer giant later withdrew its objection.
The development control (West) committee will meet at Bradley Stoke Community School next Thursday at 2.30pm to consider the plans.
Comments
by billygas
Monday, July 16 2012, 11:24PM
“Its so sad that bcc can't just do something right for the whole of the city of bristol. approve the new ground for b.c.f.c approve sainsbury's at horfield and ashton. Then approve a decent arena for bristol.Put the city of bristol back on the map a city to be proud of not a bloody laughing stock.”
by Alpin
Monday, July 16 2012, 11:49AM
“hopefully there is still going to be a bit of room for nostalia.. i hope to find a portaloo with a large puddle of flourescent yellow in front of the entrance door....”
by FromMendip
Monday, July 16 2012, 11:27AM
“I hope that partisanship can be put aside by supporters of both clubs.
This is good news for Greater Bristol - assuming the planning councillors agree with their officers' recommendations.
Even better news would be a new stadium at Ashton Vale to complement Rovers' new stadium.”
by SumYeungGuy
Sunday, July 15 2012, 8:55PM
“I really like it, but why are the stands facing the pitch...?”
by lolly60
Saturday, July 14 2012, 5:42PM
“I thought Steve Lansdown had bought the old Rovers ground,and if he has then maybe he might give it to Bristol Rugby as a gift and they could still play there .!!!!”
by larryjay
Saturday, July 14 2012, 5:13PM
“SHEPPAS IM NOT RUBBISHING YOUR COMMENTS ..SEEN YOUR PROFILE AND YOU SEEM TO BE AGAINST ANY FORM OF BUILDING ETC GET A LIFE YOU TREEHUGGER”
by godspeed
Thursday, July 12 2012, 11:45PM
“Fingers crossed for next Thursday Let's hope it all goes ahead. we have already had one bit of good news that will be beneficial to the UWE stadium ( should it go ahead ) with the funding for new local rail stations as part of the Bristol metro rail service which would make it more easy for fans to have a drink and attend matchs.that is gonna play a major part in reducing the traffic issues around the Filton area on match days as most of the new stations will be built not long after the new stadium is built ( should it go ahead ) so I hope south glos council take that into consideration and give this stadium the go ahead. I'm not very confident in Bristol city council but hope they allow the Sainsburys scheme to happen. Rovers never really recovered After losing eastville and lost a number of new generations of fans to Bristol city when then had to play in bath but this stadium scheme would be a major turning point for the gas and hopefully be the making of the Bristol rovers we always believed the club could be”
by sheppas
Thursday, July 12 2012, 9:11PM
“Surprise surprise....my comments rubbished by the "up the gas" contingent. As the saying goes.. I rest my case.”
by larryjay
Thursday, July 12 2012, 8:57PM
“100 % gas loyal ..up the gas !”
by katachua
Thursday, July 12 2012, 8:15PM
“@DownByLaw
Even tofu burgers couldn't be worse than the current catering at the Gate :-(”