The latest on Sainsburys - according to the Post http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Rovers...tail/story.html?dwrMeth=addComment&afterReg=Y BRISTOL Rovers' hopes of building a new stadium are mired in controversy again – this time over the number of delivery lorries which should be allowed at the proposed new supermarket at their current ground. More than 170 residents and pressure groups have lodged objections to an increase in the number of hours that lorries could turn up to the store at the Memorial Ground while those in support total 92. This latest row could prove to be rather academic however as Sainsbury's are allegedly no longer interested in building the new store. The Bristol Post exclusively revealed at the end of August that the club had issued a writ against the supermarket chain for what it claims to be breaches of contract over going ahead with the supermarket. Related content Sainsbury's told the club that the current planning consent was not acceptable because lorries could not turn up between 5am and midnight on any day of the week. The chain asked the city council to vary the restrictions on delivery times but planning officers refused permission because of the impact on local residents. Sainsbury's subsequently told the club they would not appeal this decision. A legal wrangle ensued behind closed doors which led to Sainsbury's agreeing to lodge an appeal while the club submitted its own application at its own expense to vary the delivery hours. It is the club's application which is still awaiting a decision by the council although the number of objections outnumber the support by nearly two to one. Ms Diana Scrafton, one of the leading TRASHorfield campaigners, said "despite a new noise assessment and plans for noise barriers, the extended hours for deliveries would still clearly have a detrimental impact on the amenity of local residents. The Memorial Ground is presently a very quiet, tranquil, empty place at night-time. It is mostly a quiet place during the day, too. Even on those limited match evenings, quiet is restored at a reasonable hour. The daily arrival and unloading of 44-ton HGV delivery lorries will however create considerable noise at whatever time and affect the acoustic environment." Councillor Claire Hiscott (Horfield) and former Bishopston ward councillor David Willingham have both lodged objections.
This is dead in the water IMO time to let it go and just redevelop The Mem we know UWE its never going to happen.
Problem is mate, Redevelop The Mem with what? We've got no money! Everything revolves around selling The Mem (even if at a reduced sum). If i'm thinking out loud and strongly - It could almost be a case of UWE or Bust, which is why we're pursuing this all the way. We just need a bit of fortune, and Nick himself is gonna end up massive hero or unbelievable failure in all this. UTG
I read somewhere that Rovers/Sainsburys have a 60% chance of winning the appeal to get the hours extended. If they win the appeal then Sainsburys surely wouldnt be allowed to walk away from the deal otherwise they get done for it. Now I dont know how it all works but I presume... ... if the appeal is lost then Sainsburys can walk away from the deal and we are stuck with a lot of debt that has built up due to all the delays from TRASH has caused with many appeals and judicial reviews etc they have had. And of course Carstairs war memorial application and now this. So unless another application comes in from elsehwere to buy the Mem then we are stuck. ... if the appeal is won then either that means Sainsburys have to go ahead with the deal meaning we get the go ahead to start UWE. Or if they still are dead against the deal (even though they got the hours they want) and still pulls out then Rovers will obviously take them to court seeking a big compensation pay out. Sainsburys could agree with that and quickly because they may prefer to pay out compensation over paying the full amount. Cheaper for them and we could use that money for a redevelopment. But Sainsbury may decide drag out any such compensation through the courts which could take for years. I think I read a decision about the extended hours will be around the end of November.
I can't see Sainsburys going ahead regardless of planning issues or legal arguments with BRFC. All the big supermarkets are losing big money and investment in expansion is highly unlikely.
Unfortunately we seem to be flogging a dead horse with this one now. The UWE plans are great but the Mem is Rovers albatross :-(
I've never thought we would get it, its nothing but a distant dream. We have a backwords thinking city and a owner who's not got the funds to back up his words.
It is still a site which can be sold for something. Perhaps an office park, more housing or a smaller shopping development...
True the land has many uses, but its going to be another ball ache to get all the plans together, if we were to go for an offie park then we would be looking atleast another 2 years before diggers move in.
Today the planning officers (that the Bristol City Council use) gave their recommendation to the Council in support of Rovers application. Next week the Council will have a meeting and 9 times out of 10 the Council goes along with planning recommendations. So this is good news.
It's good news insofar as it allows the club a more powerful legal argument when they take Sainsbury's to court for breach of contract. Sainsbury's have made it very clear that they do not intend to build the store and therefore renege on the contract. The club's only option is to take them to court to get the maximum possible cash out of them for reneging on the agreement. Note that it's not Sainsbury's applying for the variance in delivery times, it's us. The UWE Stadium is as dead as a dodo and we all need to accept this. Perhaps if we get some cash out of them, some of it could be put towards renovating the Mem, but I'm not holding my breath.
Upon hearing that the club's section 73 application has received backing, the club have released this official statement: “Bristol Rovers Football Club understand that the planning officer has recommended our Section 73 application for approval and we await the Committee’s decision next week." The club are not willing to make any further comment on this until the committee decision is finalised. http://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/news/article/section-73-application-receives-backing-2065408.aspx
Here is the full report.... worth a read but be warned its very long!! https://www.bristol.gov.uk/committee/2014/re/re9/1112_7-1.pdf It lists a lot of objections which goes on and on! But if you read these, remember they are actually moaning about JUST an extra hour before and after the original delivery times. Original times was deliveries by 11pm and not before 6am. proposed times are deliveries by midnight and not before 5am. Thats it! They are literally objecting giving war and peace over just 2 extra hours... 1 before and 1 after.
For a while i've had a muted good feeling about all this. The road is still long and there are other hurdles along the way still, but i am confident UWE will be built. UTG
