The ground could expand to hold 18,000 people

John Malitski, chairman of Bristol Rovers' Supporters Club, said: "It is a very important development for the football club."

But Horfield resident Christine Gaymer said: "It's in the wrong place. It's surrounded by houses and narrow roads.

"Every day there's a match there is congestion on all those small roads."

Planning permission

Ms Gaymer added: "It seems that although the capacity of the ground is going to increase, this is going to double our problems.

"If there could be some effort on the part of the club to address those problems that would help."

Mr Malitski said: "Simply because of what has been proposed before, there have been difficulties but this is going to be self-funding.

"I think supporters will be able to see that once planning permission is granted this will be achieved very, very quickly."

The development - which would cost �16m - would be funded by 114 student apartments in the ground.

Locals lodged 600 complaints in June when the club were granted permission for the redevelopment of the North Stand.