On Friday 15th September 2006, after months of consultation, planning, research and discussion, Bristol Rovers finally submitted a formal planning application to Bristol City Council for a redeveloped 18,500 all-seater stadium.

The regeneration proposals have evolved over an extended timeframe following detailed dialogue with planning and transportation officers at Bristol City Council, and extensive consultation undertaken by Rovers with the local community, MPs, councillors, supporters and many other stakeholders.

The plans have also inspired the support of key figures at a national and local level, including Sport England, the Football Association, and Lord Brian Mawhinney, chairman of the Football League.

The Memorial Stadium is owned by Rovers who purchased it from Bristol Rugby Club in 1998. It was originally built in 1921, has been subject to piecemeal development, and currently provides capacity for 12,000 spectators, including 2,837 seats, and has planning permission for a total of 13,185 spectators including an additional 4,269 seats.

The new development proposals will provide significant investment in the site to provide an all-seated modern, high quality sports and recreational facility to meet the needs of the aspiring public, and also to meet changes required by the Football Association, Football League, the Rugby Union and the Rugby Premiership and changes in health and safety legislation.

The need for the all-seater stadium derives from the 1989 Taylor Report into the Hillsborough Stadium disaster, and the government's all-seated policy of 1991, applicable to all FA Premier League clubs and clubs in the First Division (now Championship) by 1994/95, and to all Third and Fourth Division clubs (now Leagues One and Two) by 1999/00.

In 1992, the Secretary of State reviewed the all-seated policy and amended it to allow the lower two divisions of the Football League to retain some standing terracing provided that it met with certain standards.

In light of government policy, the current facilities of the Memorial Stadium, which include majority standing accommodation, would be subject to detailed scrutiny in the event that the club should one day be promoted to the Championship.

Whilst the club may still be allowed into the Championship, it is likely that the policy will be imposed to restrict severely the numbers of spectators that will be able to use the terracing.

As it stands, with only 2,837 seats (and consent for 7,106 seats), the financial viability for a club to survive within the Championship would be virtually impossible given that gate receipts form the basis of a club's turnover.

The prospects for success at Rovers and Bristol Rugby Club will therefore be severely limited if the stadium facilities and ground capacity are not substantially improved.

Bristol Rugby Club requires at least 6,000 seats and a 15,000 licensed capacity to allow it to compete in the Premiership. This is the minimum standard criterion set for 2010/11 (an increase from 4,800 and 12,000 respectively for 2007/08).

The development rationale for the regeneration of the Memorial Stadium is enshrined in the government's planning policy statement, to contribute to sustainable economic development, provide a high quality development through good and inclusive design and efficient use of resources, whilst ensuring that the development will provide a liveable mixed community with good access to key services.

The full planning application will provide regeneration of the existing stadium to provide a 18,500 capacity stadium (18,000 seats) and ancillary accommodation (including offices, crèche, education suite), up to 112 hotel bedrooms (comprising 84 permanent rooms and the use of 28 hospitality boxes with a dual use as hotel bedrooms), 105 student flats accommodating 542 students, 1,110 square metres of restaurant, 375 square metres of convenience store, 1058 square metres of conference facilities, 1,421 square metres of offices, associated car and coach parking, landscaping and associated works.

The stadium will provide an increase from the existing capacity of 11,916 (including 2,837 seats), and the approved capacity of 13,185 (including a total of 7,106 seats) under the previously consented North Stand proposals.

Under the new stadium proposals there will be a net increase of 5,315 spectator capacity.

The footprint of the new stadium will move eastwards to provide for an internal vehicle route around the site perimeter.

The stadium will provide 18,000 stadium seats with an overall capacity including boxes and disabled facilities of 18,500.

The club accommodation will extend to approximately 6,554 square metres gross floor area, and the concourse areas will extend to approximately 9,042 square metres of floor area. This will provide for a far wider range of facilities and much more generous accommodation than exists at present.

In addition to the hospitality boxes, the ancillary accommodation for club use will include space for the following: kit rooms, supporter toilet facilities, gymnasium, changing rooms, police, warming up area, security, player lounge, reception, store, medical education suite, club offices, crèche and much more.

It is intended that the student flats will be operated by one of the major national student flat providers. The flats will therefore be managed as a single complex and there will be a high standard of supervision.

A total of 105 student flats will be provided, each comprising varying numbers of bedrooms, with a total capacity of 546 students. Occupation of the flats will be restricted to ensure occupancy by full-time students only.

It is intended that the boutique hotel will be a minimum of three stars and operated by a professional hotel operator. 112 bedrooms will be provided on the north-eastern part of the stadium development of which 84 will be permanent hotel bedrooms and the 28 hospitality boxes will be available as hotel bedrooms outside of match days.

The stadium will include 1,058 square metres of conference suite capable of accommodating up to 500 people seated theatre style.

The 1,110 square metres of restaurant and kitchen will service the hotel, conferencing and hospitality facilities, and will be open to all spectators and the public. The restaurant will be capable of accommodating 500 people seated banquet style.

Provision of a large restaurant is aimed at providing facilities that will attract families and draw supporters to the ground a couple of hours before the game to enjoy the whole day out.

Provision will be made for a small convenience store of 375 square meters. This will primarily serve the residential accommodation within the development, and is not intended to become a destination in its own right. Therefore, it would not detract from existing local shops and services.

The current provision of approximately 300 parking spaces would be reduced in overall terms to 183 spaces plus an additional eight disabled parking spaces for use on matchdays.

It is anticipated that Rovers will now face a wait of three or four months before hearing if their application is approved by the council, which should lead to an answer sometime around the Christmas or early New Year period.

Chairman Geoff Dunford has paid tribute to everyone who has worked on the regeneration project so far, and is confident of a positive response from Bristol City Council.

"Everyone who has worked on this project, the entire team, has gone over and above beyond the call of duty to bring us to the position we find ourselves in today, in submitting this application," Geoff told bristolrovers.co.uk.

"We believe it is a project that will be of benefit not only to Bristol Rovers and Bristol Rugby Club, but also to the local community, and to the city as a whole."