Further blow to Bristol City stadium plans?
Bristol City Football Club's (BCFC) plans to develop a new multi-million pound stadium at Ashton Vale could be dealt a fresh blow by the local authority.
Local planning officers have recommended that a proposal for a new supermarket on the site of the club's current Ashton Gate ground be refused by councillors. Sainsbury's is looking to relocate from its Winterstoke Road store in order to help fund the new Populous-designed stadium, but concerns have been raised over the impact on local traders.
BCFC chief executive Colin Sexstone said: "[The recommendation] fails to recognise the many benefits this development will bring to the wider area." Bristol City Council's development control (south and east) committee is due to consider the plans at its meeting on 2 March.
If the plans are rejected, it will be the second time that councillors have halted the supermarket scheme. The proposals were initially rejected in July last year. Image: Populous