Just a pity SH didn't also give an update on the feasibility study/the UWE position as the training ground is really just a side show to the main event.
Bristol Rovers extend training ground deal at Cribbs despite plans for new Almondsbury base
By JamesMcNamara | Posted: November 16, 2016
Bristol Rovers have agreed a deal to stay at their Cribbs Causeway training base for an additional 12 months.
The club were initially contracted to use the facility at The Lawns until the end of the current campaign. They have now signed a deal that will allow them to stay until the end of the 2017/18 season – should they need to.
Chairman Steve Hamer revealed in September that the club had agreed a deal in principle to acquire a 29-acre site at Colony Farm in Almondsbury that is to be used for the development of a state-of-the-art training ground.
Read more: Rovers 4 Crawley Town 2: Pirates book place in FA Cup second round after extra-time win
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www.bristolpost.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276268/binaries/clerk4545.jpgSpeaking at a Supporters Club forum in October, Hamer had suggested that the club were hoping to move manager Darrell Clarke and his first-team squad to the new site in time of the start of pre-season training next summer.
The club, however, have decided to extend the agreement at their current training base in order to make sure they do not leave themselves without a training base should the plan be affected by any unexpected delays.
Hamer confirmed: "We have extended our agreement to use the facility at The Lawns for another year. Bringing everyone at the club under roof is a big logistical project and we need to make sure that we have all the eventualities covered."
Get all the reaction and relive the win for Bristol Rovers against Crawley Town
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www.bristolpost.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276268/binaries/glassedi554.jpgThe club are currently seeking the green light to carry through to completion on a historical planning application that was approved for the 'erection of clubhouse, floodlights and store.' The plan also includes 'construction of vehicular and pedestrian access and car park'.
Planning permission for a similar use of the site was granted in 2001 but the development of training facilities by Bristol Combination Trustees – the original applicant – was never completed and the land, which currently has marked out football pitches, has since been used to house local amateur football clubs.
The club are currently awaiting approval on the removal of two conditions from the exiting planning application and are expected to find out whether they can press ahead with the plan when a 60-day consultation period comes to an end on December 6.
Read more: Daniel Leadbitter banned as Rovers lose appeal ahead of FA Cup replay with Crawley Town
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www.bristolpost.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276268/binaries/claed454.jpgShould the plan be sanctioned, the club's youth and academy section could be moved to the site first when an agreement for them to train at Golden Hill in Horfield comes to an end in March.
There are currently two pitches already on site that could serve as a temporary base for the youngsters to work on until the project is fully completed and operational.
The plans are believed to include the construction of facilities that would initially meet Category 3 Academy status with the possibility of applying for upgrade to Category 2 status in the longer-term
Read more at
www.bristolpost.co.uk/bristol-rovers-extend-training-ground-deal-at-cribbs-despite-plans-for-new-almondsbury-base/story-29905506-detail/story.html#BQoORo7z5C8yrxjf.99