11 Dec 2009Bristol City chief furious over stadium decision

Football Clubs News | Football Technology and Stadia

Bristol City chief executive Colin Sexstone branded a meeting with North Somerset Council "an utter farce" after the local authority dealt a major blow to the club's plans for a new ground.

The council's central area planning committee opted not to grant permission for an access road at the proposed Ashton Vale stadium development, which has received tentative approval from Bristol City Council.

Although most of the stadium site lies within the city boundaries, the main area for pedestrian and vehicle access comes under the jurisdiction of North Somerset Council.

According to the Bristol Evening Post, Sexstone stormed out of the meeting on Wednesday (December 9th) after committee chairman Bob Cook said he did not believe Bristol City will be promoted to the English Premier League and questioned whether a larger ground is required.

Speaking to the club website, Sexstone described councillor Cook's comments as "insulting" to the Championship side and their supporters.

The chief executive also said that the committee was "clearly biased and decisions had been made a long time before the meeting".

Bristol City's proposal will now go before the council's main planning and regulatory committee on January 20th.

Written by Mark Thompson

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