Statement on proposed GCCC Stadium Plans
The Next Test are sad to hear of Gloucestershire CCC’s proposed plans to relocate to a new stadium site, outside the city boundaries, near the M4.
The Nevil Road ground, bought by WG Grace in 1899, has been home to Gloucestershire for over a century and is a much-loved green jewel in the heart of Bristol.
While GCCC have said that the move is still pending and nothing is certain at present until the members take a decision. Stating that any new stadium will have ‘club leading standards of environmental sustainability’, however building and construction is responsible for 39% of global carbon emissions and any large infrastructure project is likely to produce an enormous carbon footprint.
An out-of-town site will almost certainly lead to many more people driving to matches, unless the promised “high quality sustainable transport options” are put in place, and could act as a bar to marginalised and under-represented groups who already struggle to access cricket.
While we recognise GCCC’s need to secure the club’s future, we urge them to exhaust every possible avenue in searching for ways to utilise the already existing infrastructure, rather than building a new and climate costly stadium.
If the new stadium must go ahead, we ask GCCC to do everything within their power to:
a) ensure that the construction is as low impact as possible, making use of innovative and low carbon materials, such as wood and carbon-negative concrete, while limiting the use of carbon heavy materials, such as steel, glass and cement.
b) ensure that there are truly affordable, accessible and plentiful sustainable transport options for reaching the new ground. Subsidised public transport should be considered, as is the case with Project Whitebeam
c) ensure that the Nevil Road site is developed sustainably. We understand that more homes are needed throughout the region and that the ground could provide a city centre site that minimises commuting, however this will require vision and a masterplan. There should be low car to household parking ratios; sustainable and active travel should be encouraged. The club should exercise its leverage to achieve this and not simply sell the land to the highest bidder.
Edited on Tue 12th March 2024.