North West Bristol MP Charlotte Leslie believes the decision to go ahead with a legal challenge over the Sainsbury's supermarket plan at the Memorial Stadium could work in the club's favour. Campaigners against the supermarket have won permission from a judge to go ahead with a judicial review, which has left fans frustrated and angry over the knockback for their hopes of a new £40million stadium. But Miss Leslie, who has strongly criticised the TRASH campaigners, said: "It is worth saying that this decision means we do not have the threat of TRASH lodging an appeal which would have meant further long delays. Supporters of the project can now concentrate on making the best case to allow the Sainsbury's development and, in turn, Rovers' new stadium. We will continue to demonstrate that TRASH does not speak for Bristol by gathering petition signatures, and will make sure that all the information about the development is disseminated." Her petition has now gathered 5,988 signatures in just a few weeks. Meanwhile, fans expressed their disappointment that the judicial review can go ahead before Rovers' home game on Saturday which saw them draw 1-1 with Bury. They don't believe that traders will be affected by the new supermarket, which would unlock funding for the new stadium to be built on land owned by the University of the West of England near the MoD procurement base at Abbeywood. They also say that the stadium â as well as the supermarket â will create jobs and improve the local economy. Dennis Payter, a Rovers' fan for more than 50 years, said: "I am angry and frustrated at this decision. Daniella Radice wrote in the Post recently how the supermarket would harm the Gloucester Road town centre. I have never heard it called that before. On the half-mile of the road closest to the stadium are two pubs, an undertakers, a second-hand furniture store, a hardware store, numerous fast food outlets and other specialist shops. I fail to see how they would be hit by Sainsbury's. Why didn't TRASH voice their concerns during the planning process? Once it was approved by Eric Pickles that should have been the end of it. For years residents have complained about parking on match days. They can't have it both ways. The new stadium would take that congestion out of the area and with the supermarket would come a big car park." Tom Kennedy, one of the TRASH campaigners, said: "We want to support Rover's drive for a stadium but not at the expense of the local high street and the disastrous traffic impact. The present application is so far from fair to the community that it seems it has broken the law. The community is already starting to put together more appropriate developments, including alternative sporting facilities, much-needed schools and housing that could assist Rovers with their new stadium â Rovers should talk to the local community and together we can find a proposal with which Bristol can move forward." Rovers chairman Nick Higgs said: "I am extremely disappointed and irritated with the decision by the High Court to give TrasHorfield Ltd the benefit of a judicial review. The court has thrown out one of their three claims at this early stage, but it is disappointing that the other two claims remain. The good news is that the review is to be heard in Bristol and the "hearing is to be expedited as soon as possible after January 1, 2014". We will be working with our partners to make our case to the court, and ask that you bear with us and stick together through this adversity. Remember something worth having is worth fighting for." Taken from the post.... http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Challenge-work-favour-says-MP/story-20093288-detail/story.html
Perhaps we should have a few more pre/post match scuffles to remind the neighbours of the advantages of living near a football ground !
