Bristol City Ashton Gate stadium revamp approved

The revamp will see the stadium's capacity increase from 21,500 to 27,000

A £40m revamp of Bristol City's Ashton Gate ground has been approved by the city council.

Bristol Sport Ltd, which owns the football club, wants to replace two stands to increase capacity.

This latest plan is an alternative to a scheme to build a new stadium nearby, which has been delayed by an application for a town green.

The club said it would decide before February on which of the two stadia it will build.

The approved plan would see both the football club and Bristol Rugby Club using the redeveloped ground.

If the Ashton Gate revamp goes ahead, the stadium capacity would be increased from 21,500 to 27,000.

The Williams and Wedlock stands would be replaced to include new conference, exhibition and entertainment facilities.

The club already has planning permission for a move to nearby Ashton Vale, but the development has been blocked by a long-running battle over a town green bid.