Positive decision for Gloucestershire County Cricket Ground

Bristol City Council has resolved to grant planning permission subject to completion of the Section 106 Agreement, for the redevelopment of Gloucestershire County Cricket Ground in Bristol to include 7500 permanent seats (rising to 17,500 with temporary seating) and ancillary facilities and a 147 dwelling apartment building with 111 parking spaces.  TPA were instructed by Gloucestershire County Cricket Club and Linden Homes to prepare a comprehensive Transport Assessment and Residential Travel Plan which included the provision of car club cars and spaces and bus and cycle vouchers for residents.  Significant community engagement was carried out and there were concerns from residents that the amount of parking would not be sufficient and this could lead to parking congestion in the local area and conflict with the operation of the adjacent primary school and City of Bristol College.  TPA carried out detailed negotiations with the local highway authority and stakeholders and undertook parking surveys to confirm the availability of parking on the local streets and assessed local car ownership levels in order to agree with the Council that the proposals would not create parking or traffic problems.  

TPA were first appointed on the Cricket Club’s redevelopment proposals in 2006 and helped secure planning permission in February 2011 for a hybrid application comprising a new 20,000 all-seater stadium, including corporate hospitality, conference and restaurant facilities, the construction of a 350 bed student scheme, with no car parking and ancillary uses.  This included the preparation of a Transport Assessment, Travel Plan and an Event Day Traffic Management Plan.  Based on surveys carried out for spectator travel, public consultation events and in conjunction with highway officers, we developed expanded match day measures for temporary parking restrictions and road closures, new signage and increased stewarding to make it difficult for spectator cars to enter the area.  These measures were also carried forward to the latest application and were agreed to be appropriate to prevent unacceptable highway safety problems in the vicinity of the Ground.  

For further information please contact Craig Rawlinson at craig.rawlinson@tpa.uk.com

Images provided by Arturus Architects