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| Bristol City FC unveils plans to redevelop Ashton Gate | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Bristol City FC has unveiled plans to redevelop Ashton Gate stadium if it cannot get planning permission to move. | |
| The club's plans for the current ground mean an estimated £40m would be ploughed into turning it into a 26,000-seat venue including corporate boxes. | The club's plans for the current ground mean an estimated £40m would be ploughed into turning it into a 26,000-seat venue including corporate boxes. |
| But at the same time, the club has stressed it intends to continue the fight to build a new ground at nearby Ashton Vale. | |
| An inquiry into plans for a move to Ashton Vale will reopen in October. | An inquiry into plans for a move to Ashton Vale will reopen in October. |
| The club intends to submit a formal planning application to Bristol City Council in June or July. | The club intends to submit a formal planning application to Bristol City Council in June or July. |
| 'Plan B' | |
| If permission is granted the newly revamped ground could be finished ready for the 2016/17 season. | If permission is granted the newly revamped ground could be finished ready for the 2016/17 season. |
| Meanwhile, Bristol Rugby Club chairman Chris Booy confirmed it would be sharing a ground with the football club, whichever stadium gets built. | |
| He said: "It makes tremendous economic sense and allows us to invest more money in the football and rugby clubs." | |
| Bristol City has previously said the Ashton Gate site is too small to fit its plans. | |
| But managing director Jon Lansdown said demolishing the Hirerite site next to Ashton Gate and getting rid of the temporary huts alongside the Williams stand would free up more space. | |
| He said: "Ashton Vale has always been our Plan A but... whatever happens, within three to four years we do need to improve our facilities to compete so we need to look at alternatives." | |
| Mr Lansdown said his father, majority shareholder Steve Lansdown, had offered to "fund the shortfall" if the full £40m cannot be raised. | |
| He said the plans had been in the making for about six months: "We haven't been sat on them." | |
| New railway station | |
| He added that it was hoped there would be a planning decision on the Ashton Gate plans by September, before the Ashton Vale inquiry continues. | |
| Bristol Mayor George Ferguson has already backed the new plan. | |
| Mr Ferguson said: "We must now pull out all the stops to work closely with the club to take these plans through planning so that this long-running issue can be resolved once and for all whatever the outcome of the Ashton Vale legal process." | |
| He said he also supported the club's desire added for a new Ashton Gate railway station to coincide with the development. | |
| Stuart Rogers, chairman of Bristol City Supporters Club and Trust, said: "I don't think any city fan will be surprised. | |
| "For a long time since Ashton Vale looked like it was on shaky ground. There's always been the question of 'well what's plan B?'. | |
| "I think outwardly while Ashton Vale has been the priority for the football club the message has always been that redeveloping Ashton Gate has not been a financially viable option but now it is. | "I think outwardly while Ashton Vale has been the priority for the football club the message has always been that redeveloping Ashton Gate has not been a financially viable option but now it is. |
| "I think city fans will welcome it with a mixed view." |