Of course there are many benefits for Bristol if the proposed new Bristol City Football Stadium is built in Ashton Vale with the hope of hosting some of the World Cup but at what cost? It seems all sustainable and green factors in the plan have been abandoned and local politicians are automatically presuming the bid is highly likely and desirable.

Before I get behind the bid I’d need someone to show me substantial net economic and environmental benefits because at the moment the bid is looking very bleak. Many people in Ashton Vale and Long Ashton would be seriously impacted by a new stadium, not to mention they plan to build it all on Green Belt land. Has it been forgotten that building on a city’s Green Belt is not supposed to happen at all, unless the circumstances are exceptional? The loss of this green land would not only stimulate further loss of Green Belt land as development fills in much of the space around the stadium and roads but would increase Bristol’s carbon footprint immeasurably.

Has anyone really thought about these plans or have they become blinded in a desperate bid to host World Cup football? Have BCFC thought at all about the design and construction process so the stadium is at all innovate and green, and did they really exhaust the options for redeveloping Ashton Gate, a ground with so much heritage value? There needs to be a thorough ecological assessment of the whole area; thoughts about walking, cycling and light rail transport links; an unobtrusive external colour; plans for nature reserves around the stadium; thoughts about the stadium’s energy efficiency; and an avoidance of any ‘urban sprawl’ in the design.

Football stadiums that are designed sustainably are not only doable but have become the done thing. Some examples include Dartford FC who have a living grass roof, solar electricity and heating, rainwater collection and a low noise and light pollution design. Ipswich Town FC have a carbon neutral scheme, Middlesbrough FC have a solar roof and wind turbines and Manchester City FC have sustainable transport, community involvement and waste initiatives.

We really need to think about this new stadium properly and how to make the plans much more sustainable. To let it just get rushed through without a thought would be a travesty. Has Bristol forgotten its green capital ambitions?

Glenn Vowles
http://vowlesthegreen.blogspot.com