Weston-super-Mare’s planning permission for their new stadium development gets the green light, after long delays with the process.
First announced in 2021, The Optima Stadium is to undergo changes with the project to see the ground upgraded to EFL League Two standard with a new restaurant, bar, and hospitality facilities.
The club will now begin tendering and fundraising, with construction expected to start in early 2027 and club-related works completed by the end of that year.
CLUB STATEMENT:
Weston-super-Mare AFC is pleased to announce that, following considerable delays, planning permission for the Optima Stadium development has now been approved.
This marks a major milestone for the club and represents the first significant step towards delivering the improved facilities our supporters, players, staff, and community deserve.
With planning now in place, the Board of Directors will begin the tendering process and pursue the required funding to move the project forward.
Oli Bliss, Weston-super-Mare AFC Chairman, said:
“I am so happy that we have got this planning approval after many years of hard work.
We can now focus on getting this project started, which will transform the Optima Stadium into a League 2 standard ground, with brand new restaurant, bar and hospitality facilities to help support the progression of the club.”
We would like to thank to CMS, our architects and project managers, for their continued guidance throughout the planning process.
Paul Rogers, Director at CMS Group said:
“Reaching this major milestone is a fantastic achievement for a project that ‘kicked off’ back in 2018.
It brings us one step closer to delivering a sustainable, modern facility that will benefit both the club and the wider community.”
Based on our current timeline, we anticipate construction work beginning in early 2027, with all club-related development completed by the end of that year.
The club will continue to operate from our current site throughout the development period.
We look forward to sharing further updates as the project progresses and bringing our ambitious plans to life for the future of Weston-super-Mare AFC.
In 2021, the club said in a statement, with a PDF of the proposals HERE:
Weston-super-Mare AFC are delighted to announce exciting plans to secure its future and provide new facilities for our fans and community as part of a major redevelopment on The Optima Stadium site.
The construction of 99 apartments, located on the eastern part of the site next to Winterstoke Road, will help secure the long-term future of the club and enable improvements to the football, hospitality, and event facilities on The Optima Stadium site, benefiting the club, the fans, and the community.
The stadium will be set up to future proof our on-pitch progression, with a new stand (replacing the current Optima Stand) for 750 seats and extra terraces at stage one, with the capability of achieving 2000 seats and a ground capacity of 5000, which is the requirement to stay in League Two.
The new club facilities will include changing rooms, physio room, gym, hospitality and function rooms, and a new sports bar and restaurant which will be open 7 days a week. These new facilities along with the existing 3G all-weather pitch will make The Optima Stadium an integral community facility for healthy living, activity, and mental health support.
These club facilities will be built first, so that the club is able to operate as normal, with the residential development to follow straight after. Once built the development will create additional jobs in catering, hospitality, and leisure.
Home fixtures will still be played at The Optima Stadium during all phases of construction.
The club has engaged with experienced consultants to progress the project.
Ahead of submitting a planning application to North Somerset Council by June 2021, we will be consulting with key stakeholders including our loyal supporters, neighbouring businesses, and residents.
Here’s what fans have said as Weston-super-Mare’s planning permission for new stadium development gets the green light…
@JackPritchard37: Great news for the club and town
@DrejerNeil87517: Absolutely brilliant news for the club and town, you’ll soon be the biggest team in Somerset. 👏🏻
@richardpotty: Good news 👍 much needed let’s be frank
@BoyciesSnackbox: Another club getting a better ground than the Rovers. #bristolrovers
@weeksy11: 👀 laughable at this point isn’t it? Fair play @WSM_AFCOfficial a club actually looking to move forward. #bristolrovers
@LP15393: Weston super mare getting a better ground before us. @abalsaeed SELL US ALREADY. Don’t think we’ve forgot about the damage you have done. #bristolrovers
@Jon_Foulkes_: Great news for Weston! How about an update for the Memorial Stadium Rovers? Just to see the plans would be lovely. Even if the council are dragging their feet. Would just be nice to know our potential future. Don’t worry. We’ve been let down lots before. We’d rather know! #bristolrovers
@C_Farmerr: The gas fuming at their owner because WSM are getting a brand new TWO stand stadium 😂😂😂😂😂 they’re so tinpot
@Joshua_Brfc: Timing on this 🤣 Fucking hate my club #bristolrovers
@itsjozepiii25: Seriously Weston got it before us? @abalsaeed speak up. Now. Enough is enough. #bristolrovers
@richbuchanan89: Ah, another team coming on leaps and bounds with a new stadium proposal whilst we have nothing but radio silence 🙄 Let’s be honest, we won’t be hearing any updates any time soon either….. #bristolrovers
@fruitmarketgas: Looking forward to getting beat there #UTG #Bristolrovers
@BristolCityFM: More likely to be a serious rival to us than them lot tbh. 😅
@Ryann_BRFC_95: @abalsaeed wakey wakey, we’ll be losing to this lot soon #bristolrovers
@pieface1883: See this @Official_BRFC full stadium plans given to fans #bristolrovers
@bs4_gas: FairPlay to them. See Weston are in a good place now, nice to see them competing. On the other hand, 2 years without communication regarding any redevelopment plan? Shows where we really are as a club. This is on the ownership. Weston seem a far better ruj club currently than us. #bristolrovers
@GasOnTour: Tidy new stadium for Weston. No sign of any pillars blocking the view. Proper stands with facilities you’d expert in a modern stadium. @Official_BRFC however still play at a ground that would have looked outdated & not fit for purpose 30+ years ago. @abalsaeed @Hussain52411480 #bristolrovers
@CleaveO: A club in our catchment area on the up showing ambition under a local benefactor. Good luck to them. That ground does need some development if they have real aspirations to progress. #bristolrovers
