More reaction to Bristol City stadium plans

Bristol City Football Club has hit out at the city council after planners recommended refusal for a housing development that will help fund their £65 million new stadium.

Proposals for the 30,000 seater stadium at Ashton Vale have been recommended for approval by Bristol planners.

But chief executive Colin Sextone is not happy that the authority has recommended refusal for the Southlands part of the development; 62 houses and 54 apartments that he says would contribute £10m to the scheme.

Mr Sextone said: "We are delighted that the city council has recommended the stadium plan for approval. We believe the transport and access matters can and will be resolved within a six-month period."

But he added: "We are extremely disappointed over the recommendation to refuse permission for residential development on the Southlands site.

"It's hard to understand why they are not supporting this housing. There does not seem to be any logic to the decision.

"This was a key part of the planning application and it will be another gap that we will have to fill. The value of this residential plan to the whole scheme could be up to £10m.

"What else is going to fund the stadium? It won't grow by magic."

The club says it is not currently able to provide a detailed breakdown of funding for the scheme but a large chunk is expected to be provided by the sale of its current site to Sainsbury's.

Club chairman Steve Lansdown pledged a sum of his own fortune after selling 23 million shares earlier this year, making £47m, although he hasn't said how much will go towards the stadium.

The club says Moorelands, the other housing included in the plan with 72 houses and 65 apartments, is worth "slightly less" than Southlands.

Mr Sexstone said: "What's frustrating is that we have been discussing this plan with officers for 18 months.

"There was no indication there was a problem with this residential area until two weeks ago. Our job now is to persuade the committee to approve the entire application."

Officers at Bristol City Council have released a 139-page report on the application to build a new stadium to replace Ashton Gate, due to be heard next week.

Of the 629 representations on the application, the report shows that responses sent direct to the council were split almost exactly 50-50, for and against the development.

But the biggest petition – with nearly 6,000 names on it – was in favour.

Objections included inadequate public transport, lack of parking, increased noise and light pollution and congestion.

Planners recommend the south and east development control committee is "minded to approve" the plans for the stadium, hotel and part of the proposed housing.

But officers say the council should not support residential development on the site because the club has not given a good enough reason to use green belt land.

Full permission is required for the stadium, the 5,574sqm of conferencing of hospitality; 382sqm retail unit; up to 1,000 parking spaces for coaches and cars and landscaping.

Outline permission is sought for up to 253 homes; relocation of young persons home; a 3,500sqm hotel; 1,599sqm of restaurants and bars; a 336sqm drive through restaurant; car parking; vehicle, pedestrian and cycle access; flood storage and ecological area; landscaping.

The club wants permission for up to 30 events a year that attract significant spectator numbers, but no more than three would be concerts. They also want permission to hold 22 conferences.

It says the development would create 500 construction jobs, more than 200 jobs for hotel and restaurants and jobs on match days.

The proposal will need to come back to the committee in six months, if the recommendations are agreed.

Chris Uttley, of campaign group Berate, said: "Despite attempts to stereotype our campaign as anti-football, Berate has always maintained that we are not opposed to a new stadium, although some fans who support our campaign want the club to remain at Ashton Gate for a variety of reasons."

Council spokeswoman Helen Hewitt said: "Members of the committee, just like any other development control committee, will come to the meeting with an open mind.

The application is due to be heard next Wednesday.