Gas revise plans for training HQ
BRISTOL Rovers have modified plans for The Quarters training ground in Almondsbury. The first phase of the project is nearing completion, with two training pitches and a gym in use by the first team, which moved to their new base in Hortham Lane from temporary facilities at the University of Bristol’s Coombe Dingle complex in the autumn.
The final stage of phase one is the creation of a clubhouse, which is well underway, but the club lodged updated plans with South Gloucestershire Council on April 6 to change the layout of the building.
Drone footage released by the club last month showed the clubhouse taking shape, but Rovers have requested to alter the layout.
The requested amendments centre on changing facilities, which the club believes were insufficient in the original plans. Therefore, Rovers want to change the planned layout of the building from a T-shape to a squared clubhouse, with changing facilities for the first-team and under-23 squads and officials.
Those facilities will double up as home and away changing rooms, with the application confirming The Quarters will host competitive youth team and under-23 level games.
Future phases of the project will see Rovers’ academy move to The Quarters, and the club’s planning agents Kendall Kingscott insist the updated layout of the clubhouse will “future proof ” the complex and comply with safeguarding regulations for junior teams.
“The training base is going to be used by the club to support both their senior squad and the activities of their popular junior academy programme,” Kendall Kingscott’s planning statement said. “Having reviewed the likely pattern of use through the week, it became clear that there was a need for more space dedicated to changing space that would be suitable for use by senior players, junior squads and coaching staff/match officials.
“The single wing of the original T-shaped clubhouse layout did not meet this requirement. Whilst there will be no ticketed matches on the site, there will be competitive games at under-16, under-18 and under-23 levels. The FA sets out clear guidelines for best practice in this area and the proposed revised floor plan provide appropriately sized home and away changing rooms and ancillary accommodation. The revised layouts also make allowance for improved social distancing and lower player densities.”
Feedback from coaches has also prompted Rovers’ attempt to amend the planning application. The club’s new plans also include a bigger lounge area, which will be used for team meetings and video analysis.
Office space for support staff and meeting rooms are also included in the updated plans.
Kendall Kingscott’s statement said: “The revised proposals have provided sufficient meeting/teaching space to host to simultaneous feedback sessions in the new seating area. With the extensive programme of activities on the site there will be large teams of coaching, physiotherapy and management staff using the site through the day. The original consented clubhouse made no provision for support staff. The revised plans now make allowance for four office/one-to-one feedback rooms as part of the front of house area.”
A Bristol Rovers spokesman said the club will comment in due course.