The Government has said it needs more time to decide whether it wants to call-in the decision to approve plans for an arena on Filton Airfield because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Last month Bristol City Council’s planning department approved plans for a 17,000 capacity venue at the Brabazon hangars on the edge of the city.
It also granted permission for Malaysian investment firm YTL to build a Wembley Way-style pedestrian bridge over the railway line, which will act as the main entrance to the venue.
South Gloucestershire Council planners also approved plans for the parts of the scheme which sit within its boundary - north of the railway line - during a meeting last month.
This included a 1,800-space temporary car park and transport hub for the site, as well as changes to the junction of Charlton Way and West Way.
But it was not quite the final hurdle for developers YTL, as Bristol City Council decided to refer the scheme to the Secretary of State for final approval.
Planning policy gives the Secretary of State 21 days to decide whether he wants to make the final decision on the scheme, or if he is happy to leave it in the hands of the local authority.
That three-week window ended at the end of yesterday (Wednesday), but the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has told the developers it needs more time due to the current coronavirus crisis.
A spokesperson for YTL Arena Bristol said: “We are in contact with the Secretary of State’s department and have been informed that due to the current coronavirus crisis a decision on our planning application may take longer than usual.
“We have not been given a timescale.”
Even if the Secretary of State does eventually decide to call-in the decision he may also end up agreeing with the council’s decision, and approve planning permission.
If not, then YTL still has the option to appeal. So there could still be a long road ahead until Bristol gets an arena.
The city has been waiting almost two decades for an arena, and this is the fourth attempt to get one.
If approved it would be the third largest arena in the UK after Manchester and the O2 in London.
As well as the main arena in the central hangar, the plans also include transforming the other two hangars into a ‘Festival Hall’ and ‘The Hub’.
Festival Hall would be a flat floor event space for conventions, exhibitions and working in tandem with the arena to attract large scale events.
Meanwhile, The Hub, would be the 365-day part of the venue and would include a visitor attraction, leisure, workspace and food and drink.
