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Bristol Rovers Frenchay move: Judicial review requested | Bristol Rovers Frenchay move: Judicial review requested |
(35 minutes later) | |
A judicial review has been requested over Bristol Rovers' plans to move from the Memorial Stadium to a new ground. | A judicial review has been requested over Bristol Rovers' plans to move from the Memorial Stadium to a new ground. |
The football club said the legal application, by traders and residents, questioned the validity of planning permission granted to Sainsbury's for the Memorial Stadium site. | The football club said the legal application, by traders and residents, questioned the validity of planning permission granted to Sainsbury's for the Memorial Stadium site. |
The club says it needs to sell its ground to Sainsbury's to fund the move to a 21,700-seat stadium in Frenchay. | The club says it needs to sell its ground to Sainsbury's to fund the move to a 21,700-seat stadium in Frenchay. |
A High Court judge will now decide whether to proceed with the review. | A High Court judge will now decide whether to proceed with the review. |
The club said it was making representations to the court and urged its supporters to "stay calm". | The club said it was making representations to the court and urged its supporters to "stay calm". |
'Hundreds of jobs' | 'Hundreds of jobs' |
It said it hoped to get a decision on whether the review would proceed in 10 to 12 weeks. | It said it hoped to get a decision on whether the review would proceed in 10 to 12 weeks. |
A spokesman said: "Whilst we are massively disappointed that a JR [judicial review] application has been submitted, we urge supporters to stay calm as we work through this with our partners." | A spokesman said: "Whilst we are massively disappointed that a JR [judicial review] application has been submitted, we urge supporters to stay calm as we work through this with our partners." |
Rovers chairman Nick Higgs said: "The progress of this project is being held up by a small band of people who are trying to find reasons to stall the process or cancel the process. | Rovers chairman Nick Higgs said: "The progress of this project is being held up by a small band of people who are trying to find reasons to stall the process or cancel the process. |
"They're holding up the fact that it's going to create hundreds of new jobs, full-time and part-time, a number of temporary construction jobs, social housing, a new wonderful facility including community space, parking for Gloucester Road which the traders are crying out for. | "They're holding up the fact that it's going to create hundreds of new jobs, full-time and part-time, a number of temporary construction jobs, social housing, a new wonderful facility including community space, parking for Gloucester Road which the traders are crying out for. |
"Then the spin-off of that is the stadium for the wider Bristol community and, on top of that, further investment of up to £200m in other projects that come off the back of that." | "Then the spin-off of that is the stadium for the wider Bristol community and, on top of that, further investment of up to £200m in other projects that come off the back of that." |
In January, councillors gave permission for the club's current home to be turned into a Sainsbury's supermarket. | In January, councillors gave permission for the club's current home to be turned into a Sainsbury's supermarket. |
But last month Bristol City Council was served with a formal notice of intent for judicial review of that decision. | But last month Bristol City Council was served with a formal notice of intent for judicial review of that decision. |
'Vigorously defend' | 'Vigorously defend' |
The application has been submitted by TRASHORFIELD Limited (Traders and Residents Against Sainsbury's Horfield). | The application has been submitted by TRASHORFIELD Limited (Traders and Residents Against Sainsbury's Horfield). |
Green councillor Daniella Radice, who is a member of the group, said the potential loss of business to Gloucester Road traders was one of the reasons behind their action. | Green councillor Daniella Radice, who is a member of the group, said the potential loss of business to Gloucester Road traders was one of the reasons behind their action. |
"It's been shown to take £7.7m out of the Gloucester Road, that was in the studies for Sainsbury's," she said. | "It's been shown to take £7.7m out of the Gloucester Road, that was in the studies for Sainsbury's," she said. |
Fellow Bishopston councillor David Willingham said he supported the group's action and the majority view in his ward was that "a supermarket would be damaging". | Fellow Bishopston councillor David Willingham said he supported the group's action and the majority view in his ward was that "a supermarket would be damaging". |
The Liberal Democrat said "significant changes" were made to the plans late in the day which the public had not been consulted on. | The Liberal Democrat said "significant changes" were made to the plans late in the day which the public had not been consulted on. |
"They didn't really engage with the community and putting the largest supermarket in north Bristol on a single carriageway road is just going to cause large amounts of chaos," he said. | "They didn't really engage with the community and putting the largest supermarket in north Bristol on a single carriageway road is just going to cause large amounts of chaos," he said. |
A council spokesman said: "Of course we will vigorously defend any such challenge, and are confident in our position, but will not give a running commentary on these matters." | A council spokesman said: "Of course we will vigorously defend any such challenge, and are confident in our position, but will not give a running commentary on these matters." |
Bristol Mayor George Ferguson tweeted: "JR blight threatens @Official_BRFC and #Bristol economy. Tail wagging the dog. All need to accept decision & move on." | |
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles approved the planning application to build the Sainsbury's supermarket in March. | Communities Secretary Eric Pickles approved the planning application to build the Sainsbury's supermarket in March. |