Superstore stadium deal announced

The new Sainsbury's store is unlikely to be built before 2013

Bristol City FC has signed a deal with Sainsbury's to build a new store on the site of its Ashton Gate stadium.

Tesco recently pulled out of talks to buy the site and its planning application for a store will now be withdrawn.

The club plans to leave Ashton Gate and build a £65m stadium in Ashton Vale using money from the sale of the land to help with the cost.

Plans for the stadium will go before city councillors on 4 November.

Sainsbury's and the club have exchanged contracts, but the deal is subject to planning permission for the new stadium being granted.

Planners will also be asked to consider an application for a hotel, car parking and some new houses on the greenbelt land at Ashton Vale.

The sale of the houses is expected to bring about £10m to the club which will be used for the new stadium.

World Cup

The club's chief executive Colin Sextone said: "This is a win-win for the local community, for the club, as well as for Bristol as a whole.

"Moving Sainsbury's across Winterstoke Road will help generate sufficient funds to build the new stadium.

"If Bristol is to benefit from a new stadium it is essential that we get best value for the existing site, and the board is unanimous that the agreement with Sainsbury's delivers this."

Jamie Baker, Sainsbury's regional development executive, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to improve our store and contribute to significant regeneration of a community we've been part of for almost 20 years.

"Although any development isn't likely to happen until 2013, relocating our existing store across the road to Ashton Gate will mean a new store with better facilities and the site will be made available for redevelopment."

Labour MP for Bristol South Dawn Primarolo said: "A new stadium is vital for the World Cup bid, and I'm very happy to give it my wholehearted support.

'Wait for details'

"The future of the Ashton Gate site has been a significant worry for residents, and I understand their concern.

"Sainsbury's need a proposal which delivers housing on their current site, and a superstore which takes into account the views of local residents at Ashton Gate."

Labour Group Deputy Leader and Bedminster councillor Mark Bradshaw said: "We will have to wait for the detail of Sainsbury's proposal, including on local traffic management and public transport links.

"But, if it brings much needed housing to our area, while delivering value for the club on Ashton Gate, it is certainly a much more preferable option to what has previously been on the table."

Construction tenders for the new 30,000-seat stadium - which has already been recommended for approval - have recently been issued.