Bristol City submit stadium plan

Bristol City have formally submitted plans for its £65 million new stadium at Ashton Vale.

The application, which will be considered by both Bristol City Council and neighbouring North Somerset Council, contains detailed designs for the proposed 30,000-seat stadium on a former landfill site bordering the Long Ashton park and ride and David Lloyd fitness centre.

Confirmation that the plans were now with the local authorities was revealed last night.

The stadium includes four separate stands with the potential to expand to 42,000 seats – the number required to host World Cup matches if England is successful in its bid to stage the competition in 2018.

Consultations have already been launched by City but the start of the formal planning process means residents now have the chance to comment directly to either local authority on the scheme.

Copies of the application will be available to view at Bristol City Council and North Somerset Council's offices as well as City's current home at Ashton Gate.

A decision on the application is expected to be made in October.

Bristol City chairman Steve Lansdown said: "A new stadium would bring substantial benefits for both the club and the city as a whole, creating a world-class sports facility, strengthening the local economy and driving the ongoing regeneration of south Bristol.

"We are very grateful to everyone who has taken part in the consultation process since it was launched in November last year.

"Feedback from local people has been instrumental in helping to shape plans for the new stadium, which we believe would be one of the most exciting developments seen in Bristol for many years."

As well as needing planning permission, the scheme also depends on finance from the sale of Ashton Gate, City's home of the last 100 years. The club wants to sell the site to supermarket giant Tesco.

The submitted plans include outline proposals for other areas of the site where housing and commercial premises could be built.

More than 1,000 people visited a series of meetings, exhibitions and workshops staged earlier this year and covering areas including stadium design, transport and the environmental impact of the scheme.

Previews of what the new stadium could look like were revealed in March.

London architects HOK, who designed Wembley and the capital's new Olympic stadium, were chosen to draw up detailed plans for the club.

The Application has been submitted in the name of Ashton Gate Ltd, Ashton Vale Project LLP and Vence LLP, which is a joint venture between BCFC and the landowners.