This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-england-bristol-13670654

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Bristol Rovers 'considers move from Memorial Stadium' Bristol Rovers proposes move from Memorial Stadium
(40 minutes later)
Bristol Rovers FC is considering a move to a new stadium near the ring road, the BBC understands. Bristol Rovers Football Club is proposing a move to a new stadium near the city's ring road.
The club is based at the Memorial Stadium but attempts to redevelop the site have faltered despite planning permission being granted in 2007.The club is based at the Memorial Stadium but attempts to redevelop the site have faltered despite planning permission being granted in 2007.
The club is now considering a move to land owned by the University of the West of England close to the Avon Ring Road on the edge of Bristol.The club is now considering a move to land owned by the University of the West of England close to the Avon Ring Road on the edge of Bristol.
The Memorial Stadium would then be sold to supermarket Sainsbury's. The Memorial Stadium would then be sold to supermarket chain Sainsbury's.
'Sunken bowl' Money from the sale would finance the move to the new ground.
The supermarket group recently won planning permission to build its largest supermarket in the South West at Bristol City's ground, Ashton Gate.The supermarket group recently won planning permission to build its largest supermarket in the South West at Bristol City's ground, Ashton Gate.
Bristol Rovers said an announcement would be made after 0800 BST. Any move to a new stadium would be dependant on planning permission for both the supermarket and the new stadium.
'Regional significance'
Bristol Rovers chairman Nick Higgs said they had been considering the move for some time.
"Negotiations on this project have been going on for nearly two years, in tandem with our plans to develop the existing Memorial Stadium site," he said.
"We have looked at several sites in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, but we felt this land ticked all the boxes to allow us to build the best possible stadium for Bristol Rovers.
"This is a development of regional significance to South Gloucestershire, Bristol and the wider community."
A statement from the club confirmed the planned stadium would include 20,000 seats, shopping facilities and teaching space for the university.
Labour councillor Roger Hutchinson said the move of the club from Bristol's boundaries to South Gloucestershire would be a "prestigious" coup for the authority.Labour councillor Roger Hutchinson said the move of the club from Bristol's boundaries to South Gloucestershire would be a "prestigious" coup for the authority.
"I understand it is going to be 20,000-seater and will also be a sunken bowl so that the buildings are only about two storeys high. But he added that the council would need to look closely at how people could get to the stadium.
"When it comes to the planning consent then there will be real requirements and we'll really want to look quite closely at the whole of the public transport opportunities." "When it comes to the planning consent then there will be real requirements and we'll really want to look quite closely at the whole of the public transport opportunities," he said.
Transport infrastructure
Mr Hutchinson added the new stadium was an "exciting opportunity" for Bristol Rovers and that the new ground would also include some retail aspects.Mr Hutchinson added the new stadium was an "exciting opportunity" for Bristol Rovers and that the new ground would also include some retail aspects.
"I understand it is a stadium with some local shopping as part of it but not mega stuff. "I understand it is a stadium with some local shopping as part of it but not mega stuff," he said.
"It's what it ought to be which is a good community stadium within the university development.""It's what it ought to be which is a good community stadium within the university development."
Liberal Democrat Pat Hockey, who chairs the council's planning committee, said the location for the stadium was something the club had been searching for.Liberal Democrat Pat Hockey, who chairs the council's planning committee, said the location for the stadium was something the club had been searching for.
"It will be a typical stadium designed, I hope, to fit in with the local environment," she said."It will be a typical stadium designed, I hope, to fit in with the local environment," she said.
Mrs Hockey said the location of the new stadium would offer visitors easy access.Mrs Hockey said the location of the new stadium would offer visitors easy access.
"Hopefully fans from all around the West of England would be able to get there without causing too much chaos on the transport network. "Hopefully fans from all around the West of England would be able to get there without causing too much chaos on the transport network," she said.
"It is close to the motorway and it is on bus routes and there are two [railway] stations not too far away.""It is close to the motorway and it is on bus routes and there are two [railway] stations not too far away."
The new stadium would also be sited close to the ground of Bristol Academy - the city's women's team.The new stadium would also be sited close to the ground of Bristol Academy - the city's women's team.
Other locations the club has been linked to include the former Rolls Royce site near Filton Airfield and land near the M32.Other locations the club has been linked to include the former Rolls Royce site near Filton Airfield and land near the M32.
The club was relegated to League Two at the end of the 2010/11 season.The club was relegated to League Two at the end of the 2010/11 season.