Ashton Gate Sporting Quarter Arena Approved

Approval has been given to plans for a new indoor arena and 510 homes in Bristol. The Ashton Gate Sporting Quarter will sit directly west of the existing Ashton Gate Stadium. The development will also include apartments, offices and shops.

Applicant Bristol Sport said it could not go ahead with a new sporting quarter unless it could also build a new housing development nearby.

Bristol City Council approved the two linked applications on Wednesday evening, though both projects will need a final sign off from the government before work can begin.

Andreas Kapoulas, head coach of the Bristol Flyers, said: “This development represents a huge opportunity for the club and the city, it's a game-changer.”

Two five-a-side football pitches will be built on the roof of the arena and existing buildings on the site will be demolished, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

The meadow at Ashton Vale is currently protected as green belt, but the development control committee heard arguments from developers that this protection should be removed due to the benefit of homes and the arena.

Councillors voted unanimously for the sporting quarter, but raised concerns about the Longmoor Village scheme, with five voting in favour, one against, and three abstaining.

Image Credit: Ashton Gate Stadium