Gloucester City stadium application - comments

[Joe K]

14/00685/OUT | Outline application for the re-development of Gloucester City Football Club comprising the erection of a replacement football stadium, associated engineering works involving the raising of ground levels, ancillary facilities, access and car parking. Means of access and siting not reserved. | Gloucester City Football Club Sudmeadow Road Gloucester GL2 5FD

Not often anything happens that attracts comments, so worth setting them out, since the new software makes it hard to open multiple windows.

And I note that the addresses of commenters are still  not being published, whether sent by email or direct to the site, despite what Gavin Jones says...

- The following supporting comment was made today by Mr Gearard McGurk.

I believe that bringing Gloucester City Football Cllub back to the hub of the city will entise
more fans to the club and encourage young people to get involved in football and other sports
around the county. Not only will it be a great facility for the club but for the city aswell
offering a place for people to come and visit and also a facility for schools and clubs
bringing more people into the city. I agree that GCFC is not a big club but why not make it a
big club why should we limit its progress by not giving it a home and somewhere to build a
fanbase

- The following supporting comment was made today by Mr Mark Mason.

I am strongly in favour of this redevelopment as it will mean the return of Gloucester City
AFC to Gloucester where they belong. This proposal will also return a derelict site affected
by the 2007 floods to ongoing profitable use which can only benefit the City as a whole.

- Sent: 17 June 2014 20:33
To: Env - Planning Development Control
Subject: 14/00685/OUT
Hello,
I would really like to add my full support to the application to bring Gloucester City home..
the clue is in the name.. Gloucester and City go together... we are not the town of
Gloucester... Cheltenham is the town and they have their club.. Cheltenham Town... see it
works....
City need to be home. In the City...we are proud of our club and proud of our City... the City
of Gloucester.. for years we have been in the City and have been nomads way too long.
Please bring us home...

Thanks
Dorian
CITY LOYAL

- From: Abbie McCarthy
Sent: 17 June 2014 21:08
To: Env - Planning Development Control
Subject:
I would like to declare my support of the proposed plans by Gloucester City Football Club for a new
stadium. While not a resident of Gloucester I am aware of the great need of a stadium to ensure the
return of the ever popular football club to its rightful home. I feel the stadium is an excellent
compromise for all

Yours Sincerely
Abbie McCarthy

[Dean Lerner]

Plenty of people have sent comments in about this but the site isn't regularly updated. There are also several letters/comments there where the link does not work. This has been the case for some days.

[Joe K]

I've kind of taken my eye off the ball with this thread, since starting it.

I'll just put on five more for now, and the remaining (at present) ten over the weekend. They all seem acccessible so far.

From: Marc
Sent: 18 June 2014 13:54
To: Env - Planning Development Control
Subject: 14/00685/OUT Gloucester City Football stadium

Dear Planning
I would like to share with the committee that I am very keen for the Gloucester City stadium at
Meadow park to be re built as soon as possible. It has been too long (7 years) for this to have taken
and has caused city fans a great deal of expense and time with travelling to firstly Forest Greens
ground and then recently the Cheltenham ground.
I used to visit Meadow Park from the ag of 4 up to 2007 when the ground flooded so I have many
memories that I would like my two young lads to experience.
I struggle to get to games because of the 40 minute bus journey and then the 30 minute walk and this
also to much of a walk for my two younger sons.
When the ground is rebuilt at Meadow Park I will be purchasing in a season ticket for myself and my
two boys and we will be utilising the local pubs and restaurants so this will bring more money to the
City businesses.
I am a season ticket holder at Kingsholm and speaking to many other season ticket or occasional
rugby visitors they are also keen to be able to start supporting the local football team so i would
imagine the attendance at a football match doubling at least and this surely can only mean more
money being spent in the city centre before and after matches.
Thanks
Marc Rees

From: hurcumaj
Sent: 18 June 2014 12:59
To: Env - Planning Development Control
Subject: 14/00685/OUT

Dear Sir/Madam
I would like to add my support for the new stadium for Gloucester City Football club.
Whilst I am not a big football fan, I have an 11 year old son who is. We regularly attend the
football matches currently held over in Cheltenham.
The football club has a great strategy with children being able to get in for free, and it is a
great family time cheering on our home team. We usually have some form of food whilst
there which generates income into City and often go with friends.
I would benefit from having matches closer to home, this would reduce my traveling time,
petrol costs, co2 omissions and congestion into Cheltenham. I live in Abbeymead and can
even cycle to the ground using the various cycle networks we have in our city.
Having the stadium running in Gloucester would add a further attraction to our great city and
would attract visitors and other city residents to spend money in Gloucester.
Regards
Andrew Hurcum

Hello
Comments have been submitted regarding proposal Outline application for the redevelopment
of Gloucester City Football Club comprising the erection of a replacement
football stadium, associated engineering works involving the raising of ground levels,
ancillary facilities, access and car parking. Means of access and siting not reserved. at
Gloucester City Football Club Sudmeadow Road Gloucester GL2 5FD. The following
supporting comment was made today by Mr Ken Green.

At present Meadow Park is a disgrace and an embarrassment to the city. The quicker it is demolished
and a new stadium built the better. Gloucester needs more sporting facilities for the future
generation

Dear Sirs
I right in support of the application for Gloucester City AFC planning application to rebuild it's
existing stadium in a flood-proof manor
Gloucester is a rapidly growing city and needs a vibrant and successful football team to serve its
community.
It is the largest city in Britain never to have successful league status club in its boundaries, and
with a population rapidly approaching 140,000 can support a football club at league level as well
as a successful Rugby team
Its community will benefit from its presence back in Gloucester
With the detailed flood prevention work this will ensure it is a help rather than hinderance to local
flooding unlike many schemes in the county......
Please support Gloucester City in its long battle to get back home and to be an asset to this great
City of ours.
Regards
Barry and Alex Curtis

Subject: Gloucester City AFC Planning Application
From: m patel
Date: Wed, 18 Jun 2014 12:00:27 +0100
CC:
To: planningdc
Dear Planning Officers,
RE: Gloucester City AFC, Stadium Plans 14/00685

I am writing to you on behalf of MY:UK, a local youth organisation in Barton and Tredworth.
MY:UK has been working in the community with young people for over ten years, dedicating
its resources for the betterment and provision for young people in the ward to aspire and
succeed.
MY:UK have a close relationship with Gloucester City AFC and their dedicated community
trust team which strives to readdress sporting inequalities in Gloucester.
As partners to MY:UK, Gloucester City AFC provide and continue to offer professional
coaching, organise local football teams, host Futsal festivals and FA coaching for members
of our community.
We have over 300 young people ranging from ages 5 to 19 participating in footballing
activities on a weekly basis hosted by our Gloucester City Supporters Trust community lead,
Jim Hart.
We have always found the club passionate to reach out to grassroots in Gloucester and in
particular deprived communities who have little or no exposure to sport.
It has always been the joint vision to make access to sport for all regardless of gender,
ethnicity or ability. MY:UK and it's members strongly welcome the planning proposal for the
club to return to Gloucester.
MY:UK believes that the return of the stadium to the city can prove to be a great hub for
sport and a beacon for uniting communities behind the club and city.
Regards,
Mohammed Patel
MY:UK Sporting Director

[Joe K]

From: Jeremy Oakhill
Sent: 20 June 2014 13:31
To: Env - Planning Development Control
Subject: 14/00685/OUT
Please support this move back to Meadow Park. The potential young City supporters do not
have the chance to become City supporters, for life, (we'll support you ever more) until
they can watch their team locally. Cheltenham Town's ground is superb but if you are young
you are probably not be going to watch City until they play locally.
Returned City supporter having spent 45 years abroad or elsewhere in England.
Jeremy Oakhill

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From: Ashley Tocknell
Sent: 19 June 2014 14:02
To: Env - Planning Development Control
Subject: 14/00685/OUT Gloucester city AFC
To whom it may concern,
I wish to give my support to the plans for a new stadium submitted by Gloucester City AFC.
The football club is an important part of our city with a long history and the redevelopment
will help the area greatly. Particularly in extension to the quays projects.
Regards,
A.Tocknell

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From: A Smith
Sent: 22 June 2014 23:06
To: Env - Planning Development Control
Subject: Planning Application 1400685 Gloc City FC
Dear Sirs,
I have viewed the plans for the redevelopment of Meadow Park, home of Gloucester City FC
and would like to add my support to this planning application.
Although I am writing as a private individual, I strongly believe that we need to get the City's
football team back playing in Gloucester at Meadow Park for the following reasons:-
1. Home games bring economic benefit to the City because home and away supporters will
spend thousands of pounds each season in local businesses eg takeaway food establishments
/restaurants and public houses/ petrol stations / sports shops if they sell replica shirts and
other kit etc
2. As Vice Chairman and Welfare Officer for the Gloucester Youth League (GYAFL) I
desperately want to see a new headquarters for our league (because our existing venue is
closing down) where we can host meetings, representative matches and Cup Finals...
Meadow Park would be ideal.
3. As a Senior County Referee and member of the Referees Association, a redeveloped
Meadow Park would be ideal for hosting referees training events instead of our current
nomadic existence! I had great pleasure in refereeing Cup Finals at Meadow Park before
2007 and would love our young referees (male and female) to have the same opportunities.
4. Local businesses could use the facilities for business events as well as sponsoring matches
- bringing along customers and other guests to matches.
5. We have an excellent University in Gloucester which includes many sporting (including
football) related courses - again strong links could be built between Gloucester City FC and
the University if we/when the football team is back playing in Gloucester. In addition the
University hosts courses in Sports Journalism, Physiotherapy and Sports Science - all courses
that would benefit from another professional sporting organisation like GCAFC back in the
City!
6. As has been said on many occasions, Gloucester is the largest City population wise never
to have had a Football League team - let's aim to rectify that in years to come!
Yours in sport
Adrian Smith

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Load of bumph about pipelines.

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Trevor Miles' comment:

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Matt Phillips' comment:

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County Council Minerals and Waste comments:

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Matt Phillips again:

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Bill Lane's comments:

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Handwritten by Philip Gough - PDF, so can't be copied and pasted (and frankly, I haven't got time to type it)

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RE 14/00685/OUT
Dear Sir or Madam,
Please accept this email as my support of the plans to return Gloucester City FC back
into the heart of Gloucester. I have been a long term follower and dearly hope to see
our team back 'at home' and where they belong.
I am involved with Hucclecote Youth Football program and feel very strongly that we as
a City need to have a local team to support of our children in matters of both health and
community spirit.
I do hope you are able to make this happen so we no longer have to tell our boys that
their local team play in Cheltenham.
Best regards,
Tim Kort

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Hello
Comments have been submitted regarding proposal Outline application for the redevelopment
of Gloucester City Football Club comprising the erection of a replacement
football stadium, associated engineering works involving the raising of ground levels,
ancillary facilities, access and car parking. Means of access and siting not reserved. at
Gloucester City Football Club Sudmeadow Road Gloucester GL2 5FD. The following
supporting comment was made today by Mrs Beverley Aldridge.
I wish to add my support for the above planning application to build a football stadium the
city can be proud of. About time the team came home.

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I 100% support this application for the re-development of Gloucester City Football club. Not
only will it benefit the numerous teams connected to the club, First, Glos Futsal Revolution,
Youth, Ladies and Girls, it will also bring together the whole of the City and supporters alike.
The local economy will also gain from having the Tigers playing back in Gloucester. The club
has achieved a small miracle playing away for 7 years yet maintaining it highest league position
since the reshuffle a few years ago and deserves to come home to the new Meadow Park and
push on to even greater things. Without the new ground fans, players etc will suffer again and we
have had enough suffering over these last 7 years. Please would you look favourably at this
application and support the Tigers. Thank you
Mr Dominic Squires

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As a Passionate football fan. i would welcome the new home of Gloucester City Football
Club who i have recently started supporting last year. As a fan of other clubs such as
Swindon Town FC and Manchester United and Bristol City (Which bristol is currently
redeveloping there home ground). i believe a new Stadium for Gloucester would benefit the
supporters and the Gloucestershire area itself. and a better for the club itself.
Michael Foster

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Ms Louise Pinnell:

re: 14/00685/OUT
Dear sir/madam
I would like to register my support for the new GCFC stadium. As a local training
company with community football training provision, I can confirm that the learners
attending our provision would love to have the stadium back in the city. So many of our
younger participants are unable to attend the clubs matches because they are in
Cheltenham and they are unable to get there.
Gloucester has a fantastic reputation for its rugby and we should be equally as proud of
our cities football stadium. I sincerely hope that the views of the community are taken
into account and that our stadium will be returned to the city.
Kind regards
Louise

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Hello
Comments have been submitted regarding proposal Outline application for the redevelopment
of Gloucester City Football Club comprising the erection of a replacement
football stadium, associated engineering works involving the raising of ground levels,
ancillary facilities, access and car parking. Means of access and siting not reserved. at
Gloucester City Football Club Sudmeadow Road Gloucester GL2 5FD. The following
supporting comment was made today by Mr Chris Warrior.
I wish to fully support this application to return Gloucester City FC to Meadow Park in a
new stadium. The club’s return would be massively beneficial to the City of Gloucester.
The economy within Gloucester City centre has missed out on potential revenue for the past
seven years since the club have been homeless. They have twice played Football League
opposition in the FA Cup since exile, featuring on National Television (ITV) during this but
the only place visiting support and viewers would have seen is Cheltenham. This is
embarrassing. The first team features Gloucester born and bred players who have repeated
miracles by not only achieving promotion to the Football Conference but staying there
despite being homeless for so long. The club is not just the first team however, it supports
children from all ages from around the City, women's teams and also works with the
community via the Gloucester Revolution programme. The club may not have a "home" in
Gloucester but they continue to represent the City fantastically. After the disappointment of
the previous ground bid, it's fair to say the scope of the original application was too big and
should have instead focused on the key delivery of returning the football club home into a fit
for purpose football stadium. This application does that, the club has made mistakes however
I believe this time round they have it absolutely right. The Environment Agency now being
appeased is testament to the lengthy and costly flood alleviation reports that have been
produced by the Club's owners to ensure this time is THE time we finally start coming home.
I ask Gloucester City Councillors that they also do the right thing and approve the plans,
allowing the club to return home and for many more generations of players and supporters to
enjoy their local side in their own City as it should be.

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Hello
Comments have been submitted regarding proposal Outline application for the redevelopment
of Gloucester City Football Club comprising the erection of a replacement
football stadium, associated engineering works involving the raising of ground levels,
ancillary facilities, access and car parking. Means of access and siting not reserved. at
Gloucester City Football Club Sudmeadow Road Gloucester GL2 5FD. The following
supporting comment was made today by Mr Robert Gardiner.
As a supporter of the City Football Club for over 50 years I would wholeheartedly support
the Club's return to the City as it has been in 'exile' now for far too long. The Club has
performed admirably over the last 7 years but desperately needs a home back in the City for
its long term survival, and a return to Meadow Park as outlined in the Application meets my
approval. As a former City Councillor, Sheriff & Deputy Mayor I hope that the Planning
Committee will look favourably on the Application so at long last progress can be made for a
return home for 'The Tigers'

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John Hammond:

It's all the Club has ever needed, I have seen the Plans and if they suit the
flooding test, the Highways Agency test then I recommend you approve the
application and bring a desolate landscape back into good use .

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while i am pleased about the football club returning to the city i have to remain concerned .As a
local resident my priority must be flood prevention and any scheme being provided to protect me
and my property. Having been invited to view the plans online this aspect is not clear and my
concern is that this area will be overlooked if the plans are given the go ahead.I am also
concerned about the increased volume of traffic that will be created in the area both when any
development is taking place as well as when the site is in use.It is a daily battle to exit my road
and i am reliant 99% of the time on the goodwill of other motorists stopping to allow me out of
the road and into the traffic
Mr Mark Sedgwick

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That's it for now. If anyone has complaints about the error messages, the man to send them to is [e-mail].

[Joe K]

As I've lived in hempsted a long time, and I can remember the lies that both parties said, that
there would be a new road put in off the tip road, which never materialise. And has anybody
from the council looked at the congestion that occurs in this part of the city, and trying to get out
of hemmingsdale road is accident waiting to happen. I think we as residents put up with quite a
lot and adding more congestion and noise plus the anti social behaviour that it will bring. Many
thanks
Mr Phil Clayton

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Andrew Payne:

Dear Sir/Madam,
RE: Planning Application Reference Number: 14/00685/OUT
I am writing to you in support of this planning application to return Gloucester City AFC back to the city of
Gloucester.
I have been a proud supporter of Gloucester City AFC for nearly 20 years now having started watching the club
with friends from school when aged 15.
I believe that the following benefits, for the community as a whole, which would materialise as a result of this
planning application being approved, should not be underestimated.
• A new stadium located at Meadow Park would only further enhance this area of the city that has
already impressed with the new south west bypass, the docks re-development scheme and the quays
shopping centre. In addition to the new stadium, the plans include provision of land for employment –
something which in these challenging economic times should be actively encouraged. There is an
expectation that the club itself will also provide employment when you consider on matchdays staff
will be required in the bar, club-shop etc amongst other areas within the stadium.
• The economy in Gloucester would be boosted on matchdays with the docks, quays shopping centre,
city centre shops, pubs and restaurants all enjoying increased trade from supporters and indeed
potentially the families of supporters. I find it quite feasible for example that a family would go into
Gloucester on a Saturday afternoon with the husband/wife attending the football match whilst the
wife/husband and children go around the shops with the family reconvening once the match has
finished – a scenario that surely already exists when the rugby club are playing at home.
• There should be no concerns about access to the new stadium considering there is already one there
which the club used for 21 years, from 1986 to 2007 inclusive. The club has previously experienced on
a few occasions crowds of around three or four thousand people, without any traffic issues occurring.
It is important to note that in recent years access has improved thanks to the south-west bypass on
Secunda Way and Castle Meads Way and also the St Ann Way Bridge by the Peel Centre.
• Since July 2007 the club have played their “home” matches at grounds in three different parts of the
county namely Nailsworth, Cirencester and at present Cheltenham. Over this seven year duration the
carbon footprint generated by the club’s loyal supporters, who have travelled to see their side in this
nomadic existence, is somewhat significant. Therefore, providing the club succeed in their objective to
return to Gloucester, there will be a material decrease in the level of carbon emissions due to less
travelling distance for supporters combined with some supporters choosing to walk or take public
transport to the new stadium instead of driving.
All those connected with the club will agree that the return of the club to a new stadium in the city of
Gloucester has been overdue for a significant amount of time now.
I appreciate the time that you have taken to read my letter in support of the club’s planning application and
look forward to the final decision, but I do so with a degree of anxiety!
Yours Sincerely,

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Mr and Mrs Prince: PDF

[Deleted]

What? No comment from our illustrious MP, saying that the new stadium should be elsewhere?

[Joe K]

No, he doesn't seem to have piped up this time (although anything that can be floated is probably a good call)...

Kingsholm ground plan for Gloucester City AFC floated

One more comment:

To whom it may concern,
I wish to comment on planning application 14/00685/OUT - Redevelopment of Meadow Park for
Gloucester City AFC.
I am in full support of the new stadium if;
The Environment Agency are fully statisfied that raising some of the ground levels will not result in a
greater risk of flooding for Sudmeadow Road residents (which I understand to be the case).
As a resident of Sudmeadow, that whole area has become an eye sore and at times a place for antisocial
behaviour. I would like to see the site developed and used again to help change the above
issues.
I believe it's hugely important to see Gloucester City AFC return to Gloucester to play their home
fixtures. Not only will it help the local economy but also the community as a whole when you
consider the youth programmes the club run etc.
In closing, I grew up in Sudmeadow Road and my Father still lives in the same house. As a boy,
myself and my brothers spent many afternoons watching Gloucester play and now as a parent I hope
to be able to share the same experience with my son at Meadow Park.
Kind Regards,
Scott Denning