Bristol role in 2018 World Cup in doubt after Sainsbury's plan rejected

By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

July 22 – Bristol’s future as a potential host city for the 2018 World Cup if England are awarded the tournament is in severe doubt after local councillors rejected plans to build a Sainsbury’s superstore at Ashton Gate.

Bristol City need the retail giant to be able to build on the land of their current ground so they can raise the finance to begin construction of their proposed 44,000-capacity stadium at Ashton Vale and keep their place among the 12 cities shortlisted by England to host matches.

The decision, which was made by Bristol City Council’s Development Control Committee went against planning officers advice for approval.

With planning approval already granted by both Bristol City Council and North Somerset Council, a positive decision for Sainsbury’s would have enabled the club to begin final planning for the stadium.

Simon Rayner, the chair of the Development Control Committee, said: ”The planners report understated some of the likely impacts of the proposals, particularly on the vitality of nearby local centres, but also on things like CO2 emissions, traffic levels and air polution; all of which are important planning policy matters.

“I don’t think any members had an interest in scuppering the stadium proposals.

“But we had to decide this application on it’s own merits, and the viability of the stadium was not a particularly relevant consideration to this application.

“I hope the football club can find another way of funding the stadium.”

The decision left Bristol City officials shocked.

Guy Price, the club’s Business Development Director, said: “It is a very disappointing outcome to say the least.

“We shall be looking at the implications of this decision over the next few days.”

The club later issued a fuller statement.

It said: ”We had worked extremely hard with Bristol City Council planning officers and felt that we had addressed all planning issues.

“This was borne out by the officers’ recommendation that members approve the application.

“We deeply regret their decision to ignore their officers’ professional advice, as well as the advice of independent planning experts.

“We now need time to take stock and review the options that are open to us.

“We are confident that there are strong grounds for an appeal, but we need to consider all our options before making a decision.

“Last night’s decision will, at the very least, delay the stadium plans, and does indeed call the viability of a new regional stadium into question.

“We remain ambitious as a football club, both on and off the pitch, which, at the moment, is more than we feel able to say for our city’s planners.

“However ambitious we might be though, we cannot move forward without the funds that the sale of Ashton Gate will generate.”

Jamie Baker, Sainsbury’s Head of Property Development, added: “Both Sainsbury’s and Bristol City Football Club are naturally disappointed at the committee’s decision, particularly as it was recommended for approval by the Planning Officer.

“Sainsbury’s has consulted extensively with a whole range of individuals, groups and organisations in the community since the beginning of the year and we had made a significant number of changes to the planning application as a result of what we heard.”

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