News / Memorial Stadium
Construction appears to be taking place at Memorial Stadium despite no planning permission
The new South Stand at the Memorial Stadium appears to be taking shape despite Bristol Rovers not yet gaining planning permission for its construction.
A crane is now in position at the ground, with the steel framework of a new stand being lifted into place.
On Tuesday afternoon, the majority of work was taking place in the south west corner of the stadium next to the existing West Stand, with the clear shape of a new stand visible.
is needed now More than ever
Hundreds of people have supported Rovers’ application to build the new stand but permission could take months to be granted due to a backlog at City Hall’s planning department.
Bishopston & Ashley Down councillor Emma Edwards has also “called in” the club’s planning application for the new stand, meaning that it will have to be approved by a committee of councillors rather than council officers.
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees, his cabinet colleague Tom Renhard and chief of staff Kevin Slocombe have all blamed the Green Party for causing delays to the new stand.
Rovers sold season tickets for the new stand ahead of the new football season but these fans currently have to sit or stand elsewhere in the ground.
The planning application for the new stand says it will have a modular seatng system with a capacity of 3,414 people within the footprint of a steel roof structure, which appears to be what is currently being built.
Renhard wrote in Bristol24/7 that “there are no reasonable grounds to reject their application” and that Edwards should withdraw her call-in “and let officers make a decision in line with the existing policies, which I hope can be expedited to be resolved as quickly as possible for all concerned in line with planning processes”.
Building work is taking place despite planning permission yet to be granted – photo: Martin Booth
In response to Renhard, Edwards wrote in Bristol24/7 that Rovers have been “misled” and that “the administration now seeks to mislead the public and pin the blame for the current unbuilt stand on opposition councillors”.
“I ‘called in’ the application to the council’s planning committee to protect the club, though it likely would have had to come to a committee anyway due to the significant interest.”
Edwards recently told BBC Radio Bristol that she has “absolutely no objections to the stand” and that “a club like this should be at the heart of the community”.
On Tuesday, the councillor confirmed that even with the arrival of the crane and the new stand taking shape, Rovers have still not yet received planning permission.
She tweeted: “The club has not yet been granted PP as the officer has not yet received all the required paperwork, I know that much, so I am not sure what the crane is doing but I am going to ask the club and the officers what the situation is.”
Bristol24/7 has asked Bristol Rovers for comment.
There is now a construction site at the south end of the Memorial Stadium – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo & video: Martin Booth
Read next:
- ‘The Green Party’s approach to City and Rovers’ plans raises concerns for the future’
- ‘Labour are using Bristol Rovers’ new stand as a political football’
- Greens battling to remain Bristol’s largest party in Bishopston & Ashley Down by-election
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