Video: Bristol City unveils new stadium plans
This is what Bristol City FC's proposed 30,000-seater new stadium at Ashton Vale could look like.
London architects HOK, who designed Wembley and the capital's new Olympic stadium, were chosen to draw up detailed plans for the club, which go on show to the public on Thursday.
Bristol City chairman Steve Lansdown said he needed everyone to get behind the project, which would bring hundreds of jobs to the city and put Bristol on the international map.
The Championship club is holding its own public consultations on the scheme to build a multi-million pound replacement for City's home of 100 years, Ashton Gate, ahead of a planning application being submitted in the near future.
Mr Lansdown said: "To me this is more than a presentation – it's a call to arms. We need the support of the press, the council, the supporters, everyone. This is a landmark project for the city of Bristol."
He said that by day the stadium, which would border the David Lloyd fitness centre and the Long Ashton park and ride, would not be too conspicuous, but by night light would emanate from it giving it "real atmosphere".
It would have a traditional bowl surrounded by four individual stands.
The east stand could seat 13,000, the west stand 7,000, with 5,000 in the north and south stands, though it has been designed to be extended to hold up to 42,000 fans, to accommodate World Cup crowds in the event of England winning a bid to host the tournament.
Mr Lansdown said: "If we want to get World Cup football we have to have a stadium that can hold 40,000 people."
The Football Association has already submitted an initial bid for England to host the World Cup and a full bid must be made by December, naming eight host cities. Bristol would be a strong contender with a new stadium. Bristol hosting four or five World Cup matches would bring huge economic benefits to the city.
The west stand would have 24 12-person executive boxes and two party boxes, each capable of holding 40 people, and there would be a Wembley-style concourse so fans could get food and drink all round the stadium.
There would be a conference hall and the club envisages the stadium hosting big-name concerts – as Ashton Gate has done for several years.
Chief executive Colin Sexstone said the community would benefit too.
He said: "We already do a huge amount in the community and the new stadium will allow us to enhance that."
Some of the ideas being considered are a community gym, sports injury clinic and hydrotherapy pool and an astro sports pitch next to the 1,000-space car park.
Space could also be made available so community enterprise and local clubs could meet there.
Mr Sexstone said the project would create hundreds of jobs and the aim would be to employ as many local people as possible.
He said the benefit to tourism in the West Country would be incalculable.
If the stadium wins planning consent, it could be complete in time for the 2012-13 football season.
The public can see the plans and give their comments at the Premier Lounge, Ashton Gate Stadium, from noon to 7.30pm on Thursday and Friday and at the Pavilion Room, Long Ashton Community Centre, Long Ashton, from 10am to 1.30pm on Saturday.
A hotline has been set up on 0845 602 2807 to answer any queries on the stadium and the public consultation.









30 Comments
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by Carl, Exeter
Monday, March 16 2009, 10:42PM
“as i life long bristol city fan. i personaly think they should just refubish ashton gate cause that were bristol city have played scince the beggining and its the home of red and white but on the other hand bristol could be a great venue for big games like the world cup and euro cup games and if we go up this season we will need to start thinking bout relocation and would be a good place but i do like the plans and think it will work”
by maxine, bristol
Friday, February 27 2009, 8:23AM
“The stadium will be in Bristol. I've already queried this with the club and the land is in the City of Bristol. Two teams in Bristol!!!”
by Bill, Bedminster Down Gas
Thursday, February 26 2009, 9:48PM
“Will the stadium be in Bristol or North Somerset? I think Bristol City (1982) will be playing in North Somerset. One team in Bristol!”
by johngalleysbudgie, The Gate
Thursday, February 26 2009, 7:00PM
“Sort the bus shelters out please Steve, they make a decent design look comical.”
by george, Briz
Thursday, February 26 2009, 6:57PM
“Will the Council let a scheme go ahead which will be an asset to the South West? I doubt it, whenever a decision needs making they resign.”
by maxine, Bristol
Thursday, February 26 2009, 4:58PM
“Went to see the plans this afternoon and had a chat with the architect. It all made more sense when I spoke to him. Looks really interesting, with the stadium being built into the ground and you enter above the first tier. The idea that it is unique and not like any other stadium in the country, not a souless bowl as someone else said, made of glass and wood that will light up red when a game is on sounds really exciting to me.”
by MKH, Bristol
Thursday, February 26 2009, 4:57PM
“Went to see the plans this afternoon and had a chat with the architect. It all made more sense when I spoke to him. Looks really interesting, with the stadium being built into the ground and you enter above the first tier. The idea that it is unique and not like any other stadium in the country, not a soup bowl as someone else said, made of glass and wood that will light up red when a game is on sounds really exciting to me.”
by Irregular Apocalypse, Bristol
Thursday, February 26 2009, 1:10PM
“"Apocalypse,Dont worry mate,your entertainment is on BBC 1 tonight at 7.30. colin, Bristol "
I think football's overrated so Miss Marple here concludes that I watch Eastenders. Go figure.”
by David, Filton
Thursday, February 26 2009, 12:47PM
“John Horfield.
Both Sevenside and Stoke Gifford were both SSouth Glos and not Bristol and no planning application was submitted for either site.All applications for the Memorial stadium, new turnsiles, floodlights, North Stand and noe new stadium were approved by BCC. It's a pleasure to put you right and dispell the urban myths which surround the club.”
by John, Horfield
Thursday, February 26 2009, 12:41PM
“David, Filton - Your dislike and mistrust of the Rovers Board is affecting your memory. Rovers have identified many sites over the years, Stoke Gifford and Severnside to name but two. In both these cases planning permission was most definitely submitted. On each occasion the local authority (South Glos or Bristol) has turned down the application culminating with Bristol City Council's announcement that there were no suitable sites for new stadia within the City boundaries and there would therefore help the two clubs develop their existing grounds. Get your facts right mate.”