With planning permission for the club's new 18,500 all-seater Memorial Stadium granted last night, chief executive Bill Smith looks ahead to where Rovers will play their home games during the redevelopment period.

The Pirates are set to move off-site for around 18 months when work on the project gets underway, which means finding a venue for first team fixtures becomes a major priority.

The homes of Bath City, Bristol City, Cheltenham Town and Swindon Town all come under the spotlight, with Bill keen to hear the thoughts of fans on where they'd like to see the club temporarily go.

"There has been much discussion about what will happen when, as anticipated, we move off-site to allow a speedier redevelopment of the Memorial Stadium," Bill told bristolrovers.co.uk.

"Not surprisingly, it has mostly been about where we will go. In theory there are many options, so let's start with a blank sheet of paper and consider these one by one.

"The nearest, but in most fans' eyes not the dearest, would be Ashton Gate and logistically it may be the easiest option. On the plus side, it's not far away and relatively easy to get to. It is a licensed Football League ground, which is a big plus.

"The downsides, or at least one of them, hardly need revisiting. Let's not be emotive and say it would be putting funds into the coffers of a competitor. Additionally, there may be an unacceptably high police bill.

"But if I were a betting man I would be inclined to bet in favour of the rugby club winding up there, which would tend to rule us out.

"Swindon is next on the list of runners and riders to keep the Racing analogy going. I thought it had a lot going for it as an option. It does not take that long to get there, it's also a licensed Football League ground and they would love to have us.

"As to the downsides - well, if you were there on the afternoon of Saturday 16th December! Still, maybe lessons were learned that day, although many who went for a family day out wouldn't have got home with a nice warm feeling. Nevertheless, it ticks a few of the important boxes.

"Perhaps we should not go too much further in this analysis without considering the bookies' favourites for our move - yes, once our long-time home Twerton Park.

"The plusses are well known to all. It's not too far, we have been there before, we were successful when we were there before, and I know they would like to have us. So, for that matter, would all the pubs and chip shops around the ground.

"So that's settled then! Well, not quite. It's not a licensed Football League ground and it would cost more than a few bob to bring it up to the required standard, and one way or another, we would have to pay.

"That would be dead money, and for a relatively short period of time. In reality it's no nearer than Swindon, time wise, whether you travel by car or train and assuming that you live in North Bristol."

Bill continued: "Then there are the exotics. The cricket ground for instance. There were a number of clubs - well two that I can think of - that used to groundshare with county cricket clubs. The cost of conversion would, I suspect, be prohibitive for such a short period of time. But, in terms of location, it would be the best option.

"Then there is Cheltenham, but I can't think of a single advantage over Swindon, and on the downside, it lacks a lot of the facilities that Swindon possesses.

"There is the Recreation Ground in Bath, but I am not sure whether that would be permitted. The facilities are reasonably good however and it is in the middle of the town!

"Then there is Forest Green but it's on the small side, not easy to get to by public transport, and not as yet a licensed Football League ground, although that's not to say it could not get a license.

"There are perhaps other possibilities that you may think warrant consideration. So what are the most important criteria?

"Well there are two major factors that are actually linked. Firstly, there is the question of where will most fans actually go. Secondly, there is the question of costs that would also have to take into account any loss of matchday income.

"Only you, the fans, can answer the first question, while the second is the subject of an ongoing debate. It's a fairly simple equation for us as a club to consider.

"If say we were to get 1,000 fans less in one location than another then this would add to the net cost of playing in that location. Consequently it is going to be very important for us to gauge the level of support we are likely to receive in any particular location relative to another location.

"The only sensible way to do this is to canvas our fan base and this is designed to kick-start the process.

"In the next few weeks we would like to hear from as many of you as possible as to what your views are. Where would you be willing to go?

"As part of the process we will be seeking the views of season ticket holders and members of the Supporters Club, but it is important that we have the views of as many of you as possible to assist us in what will be a critical decision for Bristol Rovers Football Club.

"Any decision we make will have to take into account one final element, and that is the issue of available matchday facilities - or a lack of them - which also have a major impact.

"Here at the Memorial Stadium we have quite a few bars and catering options on matchdays as well as lounges and 18 corporate boxes, all of which provide the club with essential matchday income. We will need to factor into our decision these elements also."