Bristol City plan for 2018 World Cup stadium approved

May 26 – Bristol City’s plans to build a new stadium at Ashton Vale that would stage matches if England are awarded the 2018 World Cup has been given the go-ahead by local authorities.

North Somerset Council tonight approved access plans for their proposed new £92 million 44,000-capacity stadium.

Protesters had claimed that increased traffic in the area on matchdays would be unsustainable, while the scheme was thrown out five months ago.

However, the club have said the go-ahead was a major step forward in their plans to build a new stadium which would be ready for the World Cup in 2018.

The stadium itself has already been approved by Bristol City Council.

Bristol City’s new business development director Guy Price said: “It is great news that North Somerset Council today approved Bristol City Football Club’s planning application for the access road to the proposed new stadium at Ashton Vale.

“This is the last piece of the jigsaw in the planning process for the new stadium.

“We have worked hard to ensure that all the issues have been addressed.

“We will continue to liaise and work with the local community.

“In addition, in the future we will be promoting public transport so that there is less reliance on carbon transport.

“We have had huge momentum since the start of this project and it is gaining momentum with every stage of the process.”

After reviewing the application, the Government has decided there is no need to intervene in the decision-making process, while Sainsbury’s planning application for the Ashton Gate site - Bristol City’s current home - has been submitted and should be heard in July.

The plans for the stadium face, however another hurdle - about 200 people living near the proposed site have applied to have part of it declared a town green.

The status would prevent new development on the 42-acre site and put an end to the plans.