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.