Bristol Rovers' Sainsbury's bid approved by government

Sainsbury's plans to build the store at the current site of the Memorial Stadium in Horfield

The government has given the go-ahead for plans to build a supermarket on a football ground in Bristol.

Sainsbury's plans to build the store at the current site of the Memorial Stadium in Horfield were backed by Bristol City Council in January.

Bristol Rovers Football Club needs to sell the ground to fund a new stadium at the University of the West of England campus in Stoke Gifford.

Communities secretary Eric Pickles has approved the planning application.

A statement on the club's website said: "This is great news as we move one step closer to making a reality of our dream for a new stadium at the UWE Campus."

Last year South Gloucestershire Council approved plans for a 21,700-seat stadium subject to certain conditions, including provisions for the local transport infrastructure and the prevention of uncontrolled on-street car parking near the stadium.

The redevelopment of the Memorial Ground site will include the demolition of the stadium and existing buildings and the erection of 65 houses and apartments as well as the new supermarket.