Frequently Asked Questions
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GCCC PUBLIC CONSULTAION: Q&A
Q - Why do we need these extra facilities here?
A -To satisfy the standards required of an International Venue now demanded by spectators, players, the media and the ECB. Keeping International cricket at the County Ground is vital to securing the future of GCCC in Bristol.
It provides an important source of revenue for the Club, helps develop players of International standing, and provides wider economic benefits for the City of Bristol. GCCC seeks to be one of the host venues for the 2019 Cricket World Cup, which will take place in England, as well as the 2014 Twenty20 World Cup.
Q - What are the new facilities?
A - This will include: a 20,000 seat capacity stadium; a new Media Centre; improved conference facilities; an upgraded public gymnasium facility including a swimming pool and an enhanced education facility. The car free and pedestrian access only accommodation for 550 students would face the Ashley Down Road entrance. The majority of the seating would be along the boundary of Kennington Avenue and adjacent to City of Bristol College.
Q - Why do you need 20,000 seats?
A - The requirements of the ECB contained within the Facility Policy and Requirement Strategy Document TSF2 sets specific standards required in order to be able to compete for International cricket. By 2011, there is a requirement to accommodate a minimum of 18,000 seats for the big matches, of which at least 15,000 should be permanent. As there is such a limited number of International matches and improvements have been made to many other competing grounds, in order to stand a chance of hosting International cricket in the future, the proposals for the County Ground need to exceed those elsewhere.
Q - What happens if you cannot develop?
A - We will lose International cricket in Bristol and the West. We would whither on the vine and we would have to move.
Q - What is happening with the school?
A. - A planning application for a 210 space primary school has been submitted by BCC. We are working closely with BCC to find a solution which will enable both the school and club to flourish alongside each other. Currently, we are offering the use of our outfield as a football pitch for the school and we are exploring the use of other facilities as well as any help we can give the school e.g. coaching, visits by players, help with health and fitness etc.
Q - We are worried about disruption caused by 20,000 people.
A - We have been running International cricket here since 1999 and our current transport plan (implemented for Elton John) is based on a maximum of 20,000 people. We have had up to 16,000 for our Internationals.
Q - You had an Elton John Concert this year, are you planning, once developed, to turn the ground into a concert venue?
A - No we do not. However, we would like to run more concerts and would like to run at least one a year. In any case, we judge it unlikely that we would be allowed by the City Council to turn it into a concert venue. As this year, if we run a concert next year we will ensure that the residents are informed of plans as early as possible.
Q - Does this mean we are going to have loads of big matches.
A – No, it does not and it is important that we make the distinction between us and the football clubs. We are talking about one or possibly two International matches per year. Plus in the odd year, say 2014 and/or 2019, we would look to be one of the host venues for World Cup competitions which would involve hosting in the order of 5-6 days cricket. There may be an opportunity to bring Test Match cricket to the Ground but this is only likely to be once every 5-7 years.
Q - What about hosting Test Matches?
A - Obviously we would like to do that but we do not see that happening in the near future.
Q - Where will everyone park for all events?
A – At the moment the Ground has a maximum capacity of up to 16,000 people for One Day Internationals. The additional capacity is therefore only 4,000. Measures will be taken to ensure that parking does not occur in dangerous places and a Travel Plan including provision of two dedicated Park-and-Ride services will encourage travel by other means than the private car.
Q - With the school being built, won’t that reduce your parking?
Yes it will but we are seeking agreement with the Council to keep some of our parking and we already have an agreement with the City of Bristol College to use their parking for the bigger matches.
Q - What are your plans for transport/ road closures?
A - Following GCCC’s consultation with local residents last year and discussions with the residents’ liaison group the transport management strategy including the provision of two Park and Ride services, which was used for the recent Elton John concert will be retained and reviewed as part of the forthcoming development proposals, together with additional measures to restrict parking in dangerous locations.
Q - What about road closure schemes?
A - Nevil Road is subject to a temporary closure already and as part of the proposals we will discuss extending this with highway officers.
Q - When do you plan to have this development completed by?
A - We plan to do this in a number of phases. We are looking to add a further 2,500 permanent seats as soon as possible and we want to put in the new Media Centre before the end of 2011. There is no doubt Gloucestershire County Cricket is flourishing and the Club wants to deliver more for supporters and for the region by bringing World Class cricket to the West of England.
Q - Where will the main entrance of the Ground be?
A - The vehicular entrance will change from Nevil Road to Ashley Down Road. Nevil Road will still be used as a pedestrian / emergency access.
Q - How high will the Stands be?
A - The Stands along Kennington Avenue are currently proposed to be 4.7m high, with a barrier to the back of the Stand 1.5m higher.
Q - Will the existing pavilion increase in height?
A - Although the front of the pavilion is likely to be slightly higher, the rear will largely be kept as it is at present so that the impact on properties on Lancashire Road is minimised.
Q - Are there any floodlights included within the proposals?
A - The proposals do not include floodlights. The current proposals are to safeguard the current One Day International Status which does not include floodlit games. GCCC may however wish to apply for floodlights in the future in order to compete for floodlit One Day Internationals. This would be done as a separate application and therefore there would be a separate opportunity to make comments at this time.
Q - Why do you need student accommodation?
A - Unfortunately the Cricket Club is unable to fund the proposals entirely itself and therefore it is necessary for the Club to obtain income from development in order to fund the development of the Ground. Student accommodation has been chosen as an appropriate use as it is possible to restrict car use and will not be used for a majority of the summer during when the cricket season exists.
Q - How are you going to prevent overlooking to the primary school?
A - Overlooking will be designed out by the use of cowls (window shields) to deflect views.
Q - Where are students supposed to park?
A - The student accommodation will be car-free and this will be written into the terms of their tenancy. It will not be allowed for students to keep any kind of motor vehicle within a 1.5 kilometre radius of the Ground. Any breach of this restriction will lead to the forfeit of the tenancy agreement.
Q - How high will the student accommodation be?
A - Current proposals show the student accommodation to be a maximum of 25m at the boundary with the City of Bristol College.
NOTE:
As a result of the Public Consultation, Gloucestershire County Cricket Club is now exploring alternative options to aid the funding of the scheme, with a view to reducing the amount of Student Accommodation included within the proposals. We have also decided to hold a follow-up consultation event, details of which will be announced shortly.
The proposals are preliminary at this stage and we would welcome any suggestions or ideas that people may have that will help in taking this concept forward. We also want to understand people’s concerns and would welcome comments and/or questions. We will consider all comments made and respond where appropriate or where it is requested. Please feel free to complete and return this feedback form with your comments.
