A plan to create a £100 million sports and conference venue on land next to Ashton Gate stadium have been hailed as a ‘winner’ by the Bristol Hoteliers Association.
Revised plans for the development were unveiled this week, and include a 4,000-capacity indoor venue for sport and events, a 230-bedroom hotel, a 30,000 sq ft office building, a 165-unit residential development, a 550-space car park, a gym and a sports museum for the clubs based at Ashton Gate and the proposed new venue.
Revisions had been made to the original plans, which include reduced height of buildings, the creation of more open space, amends to the travel and transport plans and a greater emphasis on environmental sustainability.
It is expected that the new plans will be formally submitted to Bristol City Council at the end of September.
Mark Payne, from the Bristol Hoteliers Association, welcomed the proposals and said he felt the scheme was a “real winner” for the city.
He said: “A £100 million investment is a significant commitment which will be a massive boost to the local economy.
“Bristol’s sporting quarter will create hundreds of jobs and become a vibrant destination, drawing more visitors in who may well then want to venture a little further afield and see what else the city has to offer.
“We have already seen – and benefited from – spikes in visitor numbers through major recent concerts held at Ashton Gate, and this development will provide even more incentives and attractions to draw people to Bristol.
“I understand that part of the proposed development will be a home for the Bristol Flyers Basketball team, and those in the know say it will be one of the very best facilities of its kind in the country, which can only be a good thing for Bristol’s reputation.
“It also helps provide a tremendous balance through the city. When plans for an arena near Temple Meads Train Station came to nothing, in favour of a proposed arena at Filton instead, there were protests from some parties in the south of the city that they were going to miss out.
“But now, there are plans for this fantastic development right on their doorstep, a multi-million pound sports and events venue.
“We were excited to see the revised plans and hope that council planners will be equally excited when they are formally submitted.
“The Bristol Hoteliers Association already enjoys a great relationship with the Ashton Gate team and we wish them all the best with their plans, which will provide a massive boost and benefit to businesses and people in and around the city.
“This development is a real all-round winner.”
