AN English football team's new “environmentally friendly” timber stadium is a step closer to fruition as their latest plans have been put forward.
Forest Green Rovers FC were granted outline planning permission for the 5,000 seat ground near junction 13 of the M5 in December 2019.
And now Dale Vince’s Ecotricity Group has submitted a planning application to Stroud District Council for the layout, scale and external appearance of the stadium.
READ MORE: Forestry bosses speak out after activists uproot Sitka saplings
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.
The ground is designed to retain flood and stormwater and reuse rainwater. Also, the structure’s shading will reduce the heat island effect by creating overhangs over entrances to the stadium where there will likely be queuing.
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 use of timber for the structural frame in lieu of concrete or steel is one result of this approach.
The stadium’s “distinct architectural features as well as its material are used to produce a soft-glowing lantern effect at night”. This is to minimise the impact on wildlife.
“Areas around the stadium are lit by decorative lanterns mounted on columns, adhering to the latest standard on minimising obstructive lighting.”
And the plan includes creating a parkland landscape throughout the site, which merges into the historic orchard landscape. And they say this will be achieved by keeping most of the mature trees and planting new ones as well as enhancing hedgerows.
They say this will be achieved by keeping most of the mature trees, planting new ones and enhancing hedgerows.
District planners are expected to consider the scheme by October 23
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here