Ashton Gate Sporting Quarter plan revisited

Article posted by Coliseum, June 25^th, 2021

Image: Bristol Sport

Plans for a new Sporting Quarter at Ashton Gate Stadium (UK) have recently been submitted to the Bristol City Council.

‘Bristol Sport’ stated that the centerpiece of the proposals is a 4,000-seater Sports and Convention Centre (SCC) which will see the Bristol Flyers basketball team join Bristol City and the Bristol Bears at BS3.

Ashton Gate’s vision is to create a world-class sporting quarter for the City of Bristol. A two-site development, which will see an iconic 4,000-seater home for the Bristol Flyers Basketball team at Ashton Gate and a new urban village development, named Longmoor Village, 500m from the stadium.

Apply for membership

Ashton Gate is a stadium in Ashton Gate, Bristol, England (UK), and is the home of Bristol City F.C. and the Bristol Bears. Located in the South-West of the City, just South of the River Avon, it currently has an all-seated capacity of 27,000.

Mark Kelly, Managing Director, Ashton Gate Ltd., UK, is a Member of Coliseum – Global Sports Venue Alliance.

The Bristol City Football Club is a professional football club based in Bristol, England. They currently play in the English Football League (EFL) Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded in 1894, they have played their home games at Ashton Gate since 1904. The club’s latest appearance in the English top-flight was in 1980.

The Bristol Bears are a professional rugby union club based in Bristol, England. They play in Premiership Rugby, England’s top division of rugby.

The Bristol Flyers are a British professional basketball team based in the City of Bristol, England. The Flyers compete in the British Basketball League, after promotion from the English Basketball League in 2014. The team play their home games at the 1,000-capacity SGS WISE Arena in Bristol.

‘Bristol Sport’ further quoted Ashton Gate Chairman, Martin Griffiths, as stating, “We first unveiled these proposals in September 2018, and it has been a long road to get to this point. We wanted to make sure we had the best possible plan in place to deliver this next exciting phase of Ashton Gate’s redevelopment. Last autumn, and despite the difficulties presented by COVID, we launched another round of consultation over our proposals, along with the associated Longmoor housing development, we also held events with neighbors in February. We would like to thank everyone who provided feedback and comments.”

Added Griffiths, “Based on the feedback received we have made significant improvements to the Sporting Quarter scheme. The tallest building has now been reduced by five stories, community facilities have been increased with sports, fitness and well-being facilities added on the roof of the Sports and Convention Centre, plus the northern entrance (near Ashton Road) has been totally pedestrianized for non-matchdays.

Griffiths continued, “The linked proposals of the Sporting Quarter and Longmoor developments offer significant regeneration benefits. The highway and transport improvements, the delivery of much-needed jobs, the critical need for additional housing, and the economic growth that will come from building a world-class sporting and entertainment quarter here in South Bristol.”

The Sporting Quarter plans also include a multistory car park, hotel, gym, residential buildings, office space, and improved Fan Village.

Griffiths further shared, “An outline planning application has simultaneously been submitted for housing on the Longmoor site to the Bristol City Council and North Somerset Council. The site is located between Silbury Road, David Lloyd Leisure Centre, the Cala Trading Estate, the Long Ashton Park and Ride and the metrobus line. I would like to stress that the Southern field next to the site will remain green and will not be built on. We will be working with councilors, residents and local wildlife organizations to enhance this space for the benefit of the wildlife and the community. It means that the Longmoor development will capture a biodiversity net gain with increased protection for habitats and fauna as well as improved connections for pedestrians and cyclists.”

With plans now submitted, the proposals for the Sporting Quarter is expected to go to a planning committee before the end of the year with a view to starting construction in 2022 with completion in 2024-2025.

Continue to follow Coliseum for latest updates on venues business news. Coliseum is dedicated towards building the best global community of sports and entertainment venue executives and professionals creating better and more profitable venues.

Become a member of the only Global Sports Venue Alliance and connect with stadiums, arenas and experts from around the world. Apply for membership at coliseum-online.com/alliance and make use of the 365Coliseum Business.

Watch 250 member-exclusive videos with valuable tips for your venue