Stephen Williams MP calls for rethink on Memorial Stadium plans
January 5, 2007 4:40 PM
Stephen Williams MP talks over the stadium proposals with local councillor David Kitson and a concerned resident
Liberal Democrat MP for Bristol West, Stephen Williams, has written to Bristol City Council calling for key elements of the plans to develop the Memorial Stadium to be rethought.
Bristol Rovers Football Club have requested planning permission to build a £19 million stadium including hotel, restaurant and student accommodation on the site of their current home in Horfield. However, Stephen Williams believes that more work needs to go into reducing the impact on local residents.
Stephen Williams said "My most significant concern is the transport situation. I understand that the current proposal is for the Club to fund a residents' parking zone around the stadium for seven years, which would only operate on match days. However, I believe that it would be unsatisfactory for the Club to agree to anything other than indefinite funding. The zone must cover a sufficiently wide area that it both minimises the disruption to the lives of local residents and deters fans from driving to the stadium. I also believe that no proposals for a funded park-and-ride scheme have been put forward, something that would be an absolute necessity should this development be approved."
Mr Williams also drew attention to possible problems with the business plan of the development. He said "I have briefly reviewed the financial projections made by the club. The figures do not incorporate any liability - even estimated - for Corporation Tax and the development expenditure contingency of £200,000 seems modest for a project which is intended to raise £18.85 million. This increases the risk that the applicant will submit a subsequent application for a more intensive scheme to raise more funds."
Mr Williams sympathised with supporters of the clubs involved saying "I believe that Bristol Rovers and Bristol Rugby Club need a modern stadium which meets the needs of their fans. A new stadium could potentially have some community benefit to north Bristol. However, on balance the plans as currently submitted are a net detriment and unless they are revised I will not be able to back the project."
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