News / Memorial Stadium
Support floods in for Rovers’ new plans for South stand
Hundreds of letters of support for new plans for a South stand at Bristol Rovers’ Memorial Stadium have flooded into Bristol City Council.
Bristol Rovers withdrew its original plans for the site in late September, after criticism from local residents over the club’s lack of community consultation, and for going ahead with the plans despite not having planning permission.
Building work for the steel structure, which when finished will be able to hold 3,414 fans, has been taking place since July without any planning permission granted.
is needed now More than ever
The application quickly became embroiled in a political debate, with Bishopston & Ashley Down councillor Emma Edwards “calling-in” the plans, and Bristol Labour accusing Greens of delaying the “much-needed” plans.
The club has now submitted new plans to the council, which have been welcomed by locals and supporters of the club.
Work has continued on the Memorial Stadium’s South stand despite Rovers withdrawing its original planning application
Nearly 350 letters of support have been received by council planners since Rovers’ new planning application was submitted, with 80 letters of objection submitted in the same time period.
This time around, Rovers has engaged planning consultants and agents BNP Paribas to present a full application to city planners, and the application has included a number of different reports that weren’t included in the first application.
The second application includes reports on tree constraints, a daylight, sunlight and overshadowing report, a statement of community involvement, a foul and drainage statement, an air quality assessment, an arboricultural impact assessment, a noise impact assessment and a biodiversity net gain assessment.
Supporters welcomed the extensive plans for including better disabled viewing, providing a boost to local businesses, more opportunities for local employment and more sensitivity to the surrounding natural environment.
Some supporters also pointed out that the new Ashley Down railway station would decrease traffic and congestion in the area.
The council’s planning officers will now assess the reports and decide when a decision will be made. But an ongoing planning backlog could mean months of waiting for a decision.
The original stand was intended to open before the new season began in August, but Rovers may have had to refund fans who already bought tickets for the new seats.
All photos: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Anger as Rovers start building new stand without planning permission
- Rovers promise to work closer with local residents as new stand continues to take shape
- Rovers CEO says there have been ‘frustrations’ with South Stand
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