Bristol City FC amends Ashton Gate stadium plans. please log in to view this image  BRISTOL City FC has asked for permission to amend plans to revamp their stadium at Ashton Gate â mostly to reduce the impact on nearby residents. One of the key changes is to remove the mezzanine floor from the rebuilt Wedlock Stand which means there would not be any windows facing towards the back of homes in Raynes Road. Another change is to move the fans' entrances closer to the Winterstoke Road car park to "minimise potential disturbance on matchdays". The changes are set out in documents which have been submitted to the city council, which is the local planning authority. One of the documents which details the proposed changes is littered with phrases such as: ● "to ensure the least possible inconvenience for adjoining residents" ● "The minor material amendments therefore provide some key benefits to residents over the permitted scheme" ● "Importantly, the applicant (the club) has sought to make further improvements to the benefit of local residents and the environment." These phrases imply that the club is anxious to head off any possible legal challenge and therefore delays to plans for rebuilding the existing ground. Although there were no objections to the rebuild when planning permission was given a few months ago, the club must understandably be jittery about any possible delays after the debacle at Ashton Vale, which saw hopes of a brand new stadium melt away. Martin Griffiths, chairman of Bristol Sport, has insisted to the Bristol Post that they have had no complaints about the plans â the changes are simply part of a continuous process to come up with the best possible stadium. He said: "The club wants to be a good neighbour for the local community and we are continually looking at ways in which we can work in harmony with residents. "Throughout the planning application process, we consulted with as many people as possible to gauge opinions and views and this will be a continuous process." The changes were outlined to residents who live near the ground at a presentation evening on Monday and no complaints were made. Another key reason for the amendments is due to cost. The club's planning consultants say that extra costs have forced them to find savings to ensure the rebuild project remains viable. These extra costs include a new planning tax called the Community Infrastructure Levy and a list of improvements which must be undertaken as a result of winning planning permission. The improvements are called Section 106 agreements and legally oblige any developer to pay for them to lessen the impact of a new scheme. The club wants to push ahead with the rebuild as soon as possible, starting with the demolition of the Wedlock Stand in May and starting construction work during the close season. They are therefore urging the city council to make a decision on the amendments as a matter of urgency. As planning permission has already been granted, it is possible that a decision could be made under delegated powers which means it would be left to council officers to decide, rather than bringing the matter before councillors at a planning committee where the issue would be discussed in public. The changes would not alter the new seating capacity at the refurbished ground of 26,500. But plans for the Dolman Boxes will be removed to allow for a greater number of seats within the ground. The consultants say: "The Dolman Boxes still remain a longer term ambition for the club and may be re-introduced to the development in future years." Read more: http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/club-w...tory-20724211-detail/story.html#ixzz2ubhMXMAA
One of the key changes is to remove the mezzanine floor from the rebuilt Wedlock Stand which means there would not be any windows facing towards the back of homes in Raynes Road. The way we have been playing, I assume that the windows were not initially facing the pitch!
Think we could still have Ashton Vale as Town and country green, residents could walk their dogs on the pitch during the games, wouldn't make much difference to the way we are playing might even confuse oponents?
It would be of real interest to see what this stadium is actually going to look like. All the images appearing are not the design. Jon Lansdown did promise consultation at every step, its bullshit, you cannot even see the designs.
I still think this is a major mistake. There's simply no decent access, car parking or public transport. I would have waited for the AV outcome before embarking on this.
If these are the latest submissions then the whole stadium looks disjointed to me. All 4 sides are totally different
