Forest Green Rovers FC’s new “environmentally friendly” timber stadium have been given the go-ahead along with plans to demolish their current stadium to make way for 95 homes. The club was granted outline planning permission for the new 5,000 seat ground near junction 13 of the M5 back in December 2019.
And now Dale Vince’s Ecotricity Group Limited’s plans for the layout, scale, external appearance of the stadium and the landscaping of the site have been approved by Stroud District Council. The ground has been designed to be emblematic and its distinct appearance is generated by its undulating roofscape, acting as a unifying gesture, which contrasts with the deliberate tectonic expression of the dense spacing of the structural timber frames, according to the developers.
Their aim is to retain the site’s rural setting and attributes while integrating the new stadium for Forest Green Rovers as a focal point for the club and wider community. The stadium has been designed with climate change in mind and integrates measures of energy efficiency and resilience against extreme weather conditions such as flooding or heatwaves.
Colin Peake, a life member of Forest Green Rovers, spoke in favour of the scheme at the development control meeting at Ebley Mill last night (December 3). He said he held a leading role in the club for 20 years and became its first full time employee as managing director.
Mr Peake said he spoke before the committee 20 years ago for plans for the current stadium. “Whether you’re a devotee of the game or not, very few can argue that the club has brought the world to your doorstep with what has been witnessed over the last few years,” he said.
Source: Gloucestershire Live
