Sainsbury's Submits New Plans For Ashton Gate

Sainsbury’s has submitted a new planning application for a relocated store at Ashton Gate stadium.

Bristol City Council planning officers will now give further consideration to the scheme before planning committee members meet to decide whether to grant permission for the revised proposals.

Outline planning permission has already been given in respect of the redevelopment of Sainsbury’s Winterstoke Road site.

Should Sainsbury’s be successful and the Club’s proposed move to a new stadium goes ahead, Sainsbury’s would relocate from the Winterstoke Road store to the Ashton Gate site in 2013.

Following the decision by Bristol City Council’s Development Control Committee (South and East) to refuse planning permission for Sainsbury’s previous planning application in July this year, the new proposals aim to address issues raised by the committee as well as taking into account feedback received from the public and community groups.

Changes to the scheme include:

• New sustainability features, raising the store to a BREEAM Excellent rating – one of the highest standards that can be achieved in construction
• Measures to make it easier for people to reach the store without using their car, such as new bus routes in addition to those already serving the existing Sainsbury’s on Winterstoke Road and a range of undercover facilities for cyclists
• Improved landscaping along Colliters Brook, creating an attractive approach to the store for pedestrians and cyclists
• A package of initiatives to support local retailers on North Street and East Street, on which Sainsbury’s is working with local businesses to develop
• New traffic-calming measures on Ashton Road and alongside Greville Smyth Park

“The new application responds to the comments received from members of the planning committee on the original application, as well as feedback we’ve received from local residents, community groups and traders both during our original consultation and subsequently,” said Jamie Baker, Sainsbury’s head of property development, South.

“We remain committed to providing a scheme that meets the needs of the local community and welcome any feedback on our new proposals. The plans will be displayed at a public exhibition later this month where our team will be on hand to discuss them.”

The store at Ashton Gate would be Sainsbury’s largest in the South West and Sainsbury’s says it would create up to 800 full and part-time jobs, including the 400 currently at the Winterstoke Road store.