Forest Green Rovers’ Mission to be the most environmentally friendly team in the world continues, with news that their proposals for a new 5,000-seater wooden stadium have been green lit, despite concerns over its impact.
Following on from their vegan menu, their eco-kits and their new bamboo shin pads, Forest Green have now had plans for a new wooden stadium approved by Stroud District Council. The decision means the league two side will move out of its home at The New Lawn, in Nailsworth, to Eastington next to J13 of the M5. Concerns over noise and the economic impact caused by moving out of Nailsworth were raised by parish and district councillors.
Dale Vince, chairman of Forest Green Rovers, expressed his pleasure at the decision and explained that if spades were in the ground tomorrow "we could open in three years”. He hopes it will be "the world's greenest stadium", designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, and would allow his team to aim for promotion, and said it would bring employment and investment opportunities to Stroud.
He went on to say that the venue will be "low carbon and low impact, with measures introduced to minimise energy use, water, waste and pollution.”
Decent looking concepts. We'll keep our eyes on how this one develops...