Latest plans submitted for Forest Green Rovers' environmentally friendly stadium

Green energy firm Ecotricity has now submitted a planning application for a new 5,000 seat timber football stadium near Stroud, Gloucestershire, which covers the scheme's layout, scale and external appearance

It would potentially be the new home of Nailsworth-based football club Forest Green Rovers, which is owned by Dale Vince - the owner of Ecotricity.

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Outline planning permission was granted at the end of 2019.

Zaha Hadid Architects, who are behind the design, said the new stadium had been designed to bring to its patron, players and their supporters a "reinforced sense of being part of something unique and exceptional" along with giving Stroud District Council a world class landmark.

It said the revised scheme for Eco-Park on land at M5, Junction 13, maintained the original ambition set out during architectural competition, namely, to be constructed with a natural, low-carbon material sitting within a meadow like setting.

It said the timber construction combined with its contoured lines reflected the "forms, colours and textures of the local landscape".

The scheme comprises a 5000-capacity football stadium and other ancillary uses; one full-sized grass pitch and one full-sized all-weather pitch and a goal practice area; car parking for cars and coaches and highway improvements to A419 including a signalised site junction and combined cycle/footway.

According to reports, the ground has been designed to retain flood and stormwater and re-use rainwater, while the building's shading will reduce a heat island effect

Consultants working on the scheme say all building materials are audited for their embodied carbon with the aim of using the alternative with the lowest impact.

The west stand will reportedly act as the main stand and will contain all the players’ and match day officials’ facilities on the ground floor as well as a central catering kitchen and the main reception.

The east stand will have seating for general admission spectators and features first floor premium facilities for fans, it was reported.

The south stand is aimed to house the most dedicated home fans while the north stand is for the "away" end.

District planners are expected to consider the scheme by October 23 this year.

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