New South Stand?

Bristol Rovers Football Club can today confirm that due to issues outside of the club’s control, the new South Stand development will not be ready for the start of the season.

As many of you will be aware, the club has pursued an ambitious plan to improve the facilities at the Mem and increase the number of seats heading into this season. This is following the recent reductions in the capacity of the terrace areas and a desire to increase the number of standard and disabled seating options, whilst getting the capacity back up to previous levels.

Prior to the release of the fixtures, the club requested through the appropriate EFL channels that the first two matches of the season be away from home. Unfortunately, this request was not possible due to fixture sequencing and compilation rules.

Upon the release of the fixtures, we asked Barnsley to consider a reversal, they ultimately determined that they were not able to agree as it would disrupt their own fixture schedule, which is a decision they are entitled to take under the regulations.

Following this, we have been in discussions with the EFL to assess our options. This included looking into the possibility for a postponement whilst also reviewing the processes required to facilitate supporters attending the game safely. However, the EFL has informed us that if the Club was unable to fulfil this or any other fixture, it would result in an investigation under the Regulations. As a club, this isn’t a risk that we were prepared to take, despite the mitigating circumstances in this instance.

We appreciate that time is now tight before the game so our team will be looking to contact all those currently with season tickets in the affected areas to discuss their specific requirements to see if we can move you to another part of the ground for this fixture. This process will start immediately, and we urge all supporters involved to remain patient whilst our team attempt to find a solution for you.

Sadly, away supporters for this fixture will be limited to 500 terrace tickets, with no disabled or accessible seating available. This stance has been accepted by Barnsley, our visitors.

We would like to apologise to both our supporters and those looking to attend from Barnsley for all of the inconvenience.

Moving forward we will continue to review the situation on a match-by-match basis and update supporters as early as possible as to the plans for each fixture.

The club is continuing to work with local residents and the local planning authority regarding this application. Following some delays, the planning application has been registered by the council and is currently being assessed.

 

You can review and have your say on the planning portal here https://pa.bristol.gov.uk/online-ap...do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=RSQK1RDNKSY00

 

You should read some of the objections

 

Bristol City council have received nearly 1000 letters supporting the building of the new stand. Full article on Bristol Live with councillors blaming the Green party even supported by the Mayor for delaying the process as much as possible.

 

Worth a listen. Radio Bristol on the South stand issues.

They had the Greens on at 2 hours 41 mins. Around a 5 minute discussion from their perspective.

Then they had Labour on at 3 hours 41 mins. Just under a 5 minute discussion from their perspective.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0g2zgfc

 

The club has already started construction of the new South Stand, despite not having planning permission.

The steel frame for the structure is going up, as apparently, there was a risk of the club losing its main contractor if the work was delayed any longer.

Obviously, the club are very confident that permission will be granted as they've gambled on starting construction without it.

Mid-October seems to be the date that the planning committee will hear the application - hopefully that means that the stand should be ready in November, after the necessary safety tests and certificates are granted.

Bristol Rovers start new South Stand build as decision date revealed for plan - Bristol Live (bristolpost.co.uk)

 

Wonder what will happen if we don't get permission?

 

We would have to pull it down!

 

South Stand coming along nicely:

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Read somewhere yesterday that Rovers can expect planning permission to be granted in a couple of weeks, unfortunately I cannot now find the article I read

 

I read it on Bristol Live-

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/...kCopy&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar

 

Planning permission has been given a resolution to grant planning permission by Bristol City Council today.

Full details on the clubs web site

 

Great news - we can now finish it, run some test events and it might even be ready for the Christmas fixtures!

There’s still some local residents moaning about it though:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-67432557

 

A local resident spoke for the Rovers in today's WDP, he said the stadium had been there for a 103 years and needed updating because the club needed to grow and the stadium was dilapidated and needed modernising

 

At least there's some sensible, pragmatic residents such as this chap. Listening to some of the others sob about the stand & state how livid they are begs the question - why the hell did you buy a house right next to a stadium if you're not prepared for the club to improve that stadium? It's like buying a house next to the motorway and complaining about the sound of lorries going by.

 

If you google Bristol Rovers and look on an article on B 24/7 there is quite a long article about it

 

Yes that’s a good article with some great pics of the development. Nice to see the installation of seats well underway.

I’ve been following Rovers for 45 years and this is the first proper stand we’ve built in all that time. Very exciting!

Planning permission granted for new South Stand at Memorial Stadium (bristol247.com)

 

Wael has put a little clip on twitter

https://x.com/waelalqadi/status/1725564008999055796?s=20

 

It’s looking good.

I’m rather looking forward to sitting in it!