We want international cricket in Bristol

Gloucestershire County Cricket Club has unveiled £10 million plans for a new 20,000-seater ground.

The club says it needs to expand the County Ground in Nevil Road to continue to host one-day international matches beyond 2011.

And the club's chief executive Tom Richardson has revealed for the first time that 550 student flats would be built at the ground in Bishopston to help cover the cost of the project.

If the plans go ahead, the capacity at the ground would increase from 16,000 to 20,000, with the number of permanent seats rising from 3,668 to more than 10,000.

It would also include a new swimming pool, improved conference facilities, an upgraded public gym, an education centre and a "world class" media centre.

A new primary school would be built next door to the ground near the City of Bristol College's Brunel Centre campus and the cricket pitch could be used as a playing field for pupils.

Two park-and-ride services would be used to ferry spectators to and from the ground to ease traffic congestion and avoid parking problems on the narrow streets around the venue.

An exhibition will be held at the ground on Friday and Saturday to allow residents to give feedback on the proposals.

Mr Richardson said a new ground would help in the club's bid to host the 2014 Twenty20 World Cup and the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

He says keeping international cricket at the County Ground is "vital" to securing the future of the cricket club in Bristol.

The County Ground has 3,668 permanent seats but the capacity can be increased to 16,000 with temporary seating. But the England and Wales Cricket Board requires a minimum of 18,000 seats for bigger matches.

Mr Richardson said "We have to comply with the England and Wales Cricket Board standards if the hugely-popular one-day internationals are to continue at the County Ground and if we are going to be one of the venues for the future World Cups.

"These matches are essential to provide the funds to develop players of international standing and have positive economic spin-off benefits for the city.

"Following GCCC's consultation with local residents last year and discussions with the residents, the transport management strategy, including the provision of two Park & Ride services and road closure schemes, which was used for the recent Elton John concert, will be retained and reviewed as part of the forthcoming development proposals.

"We believe the scheme we are announcing for public consultation today is both imaginative and sensitive to our surroundings and represents the very best that can be achieved given the constrictions of the site, which has been our home for over 130 years."

Former Gloucestershire and England fast-bowler Syd Lawrence welcomed the expansion plans.

He said: "Apart from at the Jessop end, where they have the new stand, there's been very little done at the ground. If you look at other grounds like the Rose Bowl, Old Trafford and the ground in Taunton, it's time we made some improvements."

Plans for a new primary school on the City of Bristol College site were first given the go-ahead when the Liberal Democrats were in control of Bristol City Council several years ago.

The decision was reversed last year by Labour but the Lib Dems reassumed control in February and quickly revived the plan.

The club is seeking an agreement with Bristol City Council to provide use of the cricket ground for a school playing field in return for continued provision of car parking.

The club is delivering 2,500 leaflets to neighbours and inviting them to attend an exhibition at the ground on Friday, July 31 from 4pm to 7pm and Saturday, August 1, from 10am to 1pm.