Government Office for the South West (GOSW) has confirmed that the Secretary of State will not intervene in Bristol City Council's decision to grant planning permission for Bristol City Football Club's proposed new regional stadium at Ashton Vale.

The decision to grant planning permission will therefore remain with Bristol City Council, who have already said they are 'minded to approve' the application. Planning permission for the new stadium will now be granted subject to the completion of a legal agreement.

Bristol City chief executive Colin Sexstone is delighted to have reached this major milestone.

He told bcfc.co.uk: "This is great news and another major hurdle overcome. The decision by the Secretary of State to let Bristol City Council determine the application is a significant step forward.

"It has been the culmination of nearly two years of hard work to bring the project to this stage. Other important hurdles remain, and more hard work will be required from ourselves and other partners, but this is a huge milestone for us.

"Bristol is also a Candidate Host City in England's bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2018, and so this decision is further evidence of our ability to produce a technical bid that exceeds FIFA's expectations.

"We do also understand the local sensitivity of the new stadium and are making determined efforts to engage with the local communities so there is greater understanding about the project and we can all move forward together."

The club hopes to kick-off the 2012/13 season in the new stadium.

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