Bristol City stadium - what happens now

Last night's decision was a major step towards a new stadium for Bristol City FC, but there are still many hurdles to overcome.

Councillors were "minded to approve" the stadium plan but they would not give their backing to building new homes on the Southlands site.

The club says that development of this green belt site is crucial to the funding of the entire scheme – just in the same way as redeveloping the existing ground.

This is known as an enabling development – a scheme which helps to create viability for the whole project, a point which the club feels the council's consultants have missed.

Talks will now take place between the club and the council over the Southlands site, which would raise about £5.5 million towards the funding of the new stadium.

The club has an open mind over the use of Southlands, which opens the possibility of the site being used for an arena instead of being used for housing.

The councillors' decision last night was not binding, because the final decision will have to be made by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, John Denham.

Another hurdle will be to win planning permission from North Somerset Council on December 9 for a new road next to the park and ride site, to create an entrance to the new stadium and an access road to the Southlands site.

But the fundamental issue of a new stadium on this green belt site has now been established.