bcfc.co.uk is stationed in Council House this evening, with live updates from the important new stadium planning meeting.

Throughout the evening we'll bring you updates with details of all the key speakers and more, leading the to final decision. Keep refreshing the page for the latest.

By Adam Baker

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Thanks and good night

12 midnight - There we are, video interviews with Colin and Gary on Player now, plus Colin's thoughts in written form too.

10.42pm - I'm being kicked out the Council Chamber now - full video interviews and pictures, plus quotes to follow when I make it home. Send your comments about the decision to adam.baker@bcfc.co.uk!

10.41pm - Both Colin and Gary praise the fans who stuck around to give their support.

10.40pm - "There are a lot of contentious issues but overall we're very pleased," says Colin. "We'll have to sit down and discuss further what to do with regards to the Southlands site."

10.36pm - Just completed interviews with Colin Sexstone and Gary Johnson, coming up shortly.

10.28pm - "Thanks to the officers," say the committee. Yep, thanks...for a long night!

10.27pm - Minded to approve the stadium and all parts, except Southlands housing. There's also some work to be done on pedestrian access. It also has to be returned to committee in six months.

10.26pm - Seven for and two against the recommendation of the officers report! It has been passed, but it's a no to the Southlands site.

10.24pm - We'll be back in six months anyway, so say. "Let's move to a vote!" says one committee member.

10.23pm - A vote...no, afraid not.

10.22pm - Recommendation on the officers report and it has been seconded.

10.21pm - Moving towards a recommendation.

10.20pm - Concern that turning down the application will jeopardise the city's World Cup bid.

10.19pm - Keep those e-mails coming to adam.baker@bcfc.co.uk. And send all cups of tea to Adam Baker c/o Press Seating, Council Chamber. Thanks in advance.

10.18pm - One committee member (my friend who doesn't think season ticket holders use this website) worries about opening the stadium without the BRT. She has "grave concerns".

10.17pm - Now had in excess of 300 e-mails. There's certainly some interest out there.

10.16pm - Ben Orr informs me that the thisisbristol.co.uk site webcast is working. Head there to see the thrilling action.

10.15pm - Just had a text from Louis Carey - "Don't say they're still nattering" - oh yes they are. Another agrees about Southlands housing being rejected.

10.14pm - No 'Troughty' I won't make it out to the pub before closing time. No one in here will! I'm worried about my car park bill come the end. Five and a half hours here now.

10.13pm - "Approving the Southlands site would be a touch too far," says another committee member. This doesn't look like it's going to get passed.

10.11pm - Another shares concern about clause 106 - the tax funding from the public purse.

10.08pm - Another agrees that Southlands development isn't acceptable. Oh dear. And complaints too about the transport. It's in the balance, is my ill-informed judgment at present.

10.07pm - "Transport and lighting needs to be looked at," says another committee member. "I won't approve the Southlands housing," he adds. Boo! Also 'not thrilled with amount of tax funding for stadium'.

10.06pm - We have a majority in agreement on Green Belt. Part one complete! That was brushed over very quickly.

10.05pm - One committee member accepts 'use of Green Belt' - just four more to go.

10.02pm - My laptop is plugged in (Simon on e-mail), but the free wireless in Council Chamber is a little ropey. Hope it stays alive. I hope I do too. I've got a pre-match press conference in the morning!

10.02pm - It needs a majority vote now on Green Belt. Come on!

10.01pm - Someone needs to agree on building on Green Belt and "special circumstances". Perhaps we're due to go on. I've had hundreds upon hundreds of e-mails, so sorry I can't give everyone a mention.

10pm - We've made it to 10pm!! Gary and his wife are both still here, along with lots of other staff members.

9.57pm - Thanks to all those who have e-mailed, especially those suggesting a bacon butty and 'zider'. Back to Green Belt...

9.56pm - First move towards a vote. Can the stadium be built within Green Belt?

9.54pm - "It's not an ideal location but given other sites aren't available I think we should accept it and take a vote," says one councillor. "This is fun," says another. Talking about summing it up!

9.51pm - Got some pics from Joe Meredith, coming right up.

9.50pm - Can this stadium be built anywhere else? That's the question posed by one committee member. The answer, we know, is no.

9.48pm - The debate amongst the nine committee members begins, with the first topic Green Belt, unsurprisingly.

9.47pm - We're on to the officers recommendation, which of course is minded to approve, but not Southlands. Are we edging towards a decision? PS - Sue Harrison, Louis and the other lads left before the meeting started (lucky them).

9.44pm - Whilst the committee continue to discuss residents matchday parking funding (which we've already heard the club will help with), I've had another bundle of e-mails. The latest is 1.14am - I can't handle that!

9.41pm - Tom Pitman starts the bidding at a 10.30pm finish, with Christopher Walker in at 10.24pm and another - Simon Light - goes for 10.38. I've now been here for FIVE hours!

9.40pm - Back to discussing the enabling works - with regards to the Southlands housing (remember, the key bit) and also the first mention of a foodstore at Ashton Gate. Talk of breakeven figures and more.

9.37pm - Anyone fancy a sweepstake on the timing of the eventual decision? E-mail me at adam.baker@bcfc.co.uk with your chosen time!

9.35pm - I hear the webcast feed is struggling to cope with demand. Hope some of our season ticket holders head to this website for updates, but according to one committee member they don't visit this site. Oops.

9.33pm - A question about a flood, during a football match. Surely the game would be postponed? ;-)

9.29pm - "The meadow is designated as a holding area," says one committee member, "is there any provision?" This has been looked at, is the response. Any risk is "small". Sorted.

9.27pm - Question on flood risk and now climate change. This is getting deep. "I need to take advice on that," says the councillor.

9.26pm - "Has enough been done to combat the risk of flooding," man on the mic asks. "Yes," is his answer, as the bowl is sunk down and everything has been taken into consideration.

9.25pm - Flood Risk and Planning Obligations - another slide. I thought the 'last one' was the 'last one' - if that makes any sense?

9.22pm - Quote: "Looking at the masterplan as a whole, the wildlife network has continuity." The loss of the diversity is a concern though, apparently - this "needs to be retained, which is why the Southlands development is not accepted in our opinion". This comes from the officers report, remember.

9.21pm - The "final chunk of the presentation" is here. Wildlife impact.

9.19pm - One councillor likens the "lit-up red stadium at night" slide looks like a "brothel". The meeting is brought to life with laughter. One person from the 'against' side of the room says: "You can have it now!"

9.17pm - Someone wants something 'more iconic' at the new stadium. "It's probably a little late to change the design," is the matter-of-fact response. "It's a unique design," the man on the microphone adds.

9.14pm - The colour red at Ashton Vale will be "more subtle" than currently used at Ashton Gate, so say.

9.12pm - I've been sat here for almost four and a half hours - and we're still no nearer any decision.

9.10pm - The solution to having a stadium on your doorstep - to move the stadium. Not really viable that one. More polycarbonate talk. Wow.

9.08pm - And we continue on with more questions.

9.05pm - The discussion moves on to polycarbonate cladding for the West Stand. Is it me, or has the attendance at this meeting diminished throughout? It's not full in here now.

9.01pm - Press colleagues to my left are drifting off. This is going on, and on, and on.

8.57pm - We're now looking at views from the Suspension Bridge. Hope you're still watching at home! They seem to be suggesting appearances around Ashton won't be affected.

8.55pm - We now move on to a presentation on Visual Impact and Design.

8.51pm - According to one committee member: "It's unlikely season ticket holders would look on the club website." I'm biting my tongue.

8.46pm - Query about the extra 1,400 cars heading to the new stadium. Chuckles from the 'against stadium' side on the parking discussions. More discussions about buses.  

8.41pm - Now discussing the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT), plus club-organised bus travel to ease traffic around the stadium. The club is offering land to help the building of the BRT. The club will also fund the residents parking scheme on matchdays.

8.38pm - The traffic plan has details of a three-person car-sharing lane at the new stadium.

8.34pm - The club hopes to increase attendance from an average of 15,100 to 23,800. Interesting stuff. Now discussing how people travel to games, with lots of facts and figures. We're only half-way through the document here. Could be a long night.

8.33pm - One section down, on to another. This one majors on access and traffic.

8.32pm - Talk about allotments on the site, which were in 'low demand'. Agricultural land is not a factor, is the latest statement.

8.28pm - We're still awaiting this 'special circumstances' judgment that keeps getting mentioned in this Chamber.

8.27pm - More queries about building on a tip. What can be done with the gas already there (no Bristol Rovers puns here, thank you). Again, environmental people "are satisfied" is the response.

8.24pm - Now a question on enabling developments, followed by queries about 'special circumstances' and the North Somerset boundary. North Somerset and Bristol City Councils both have to pass the relevant parts of the application.

8.22pm - One question regarding building the stadium on an "old tip" and the environmental people give it the green light. One member of the general public shouts out from the 'against stadium' side. Is that allowed?

8.18pm - The key bit, the Southlands site. This is vital to the project, but didn't get the thumbs up from the officers report.

8.15pm - This presentation could go on for some time. Keep abreast of everything here with the live webcast.

8.14pm - It's going to come down to the nine committee members now. Can they find these "very special circumstances (to build on) Green Belt" from what has been presented?

8.12pm - Talking alternatives now. The club has searched high and wide it seems, from 23 sites shortlisted down to four. Hick's Gate, Hengrove Park, Ashton Gate redevelopment and Ashton Vale were the options, with the latter being the chosen one.

8.09pm - Okay, there needs to be "very special circumstances (which) must clearly outweigh (any) harm to green belt and any other harm. There is a need for the new stadium, a lack of alternatives and the benefits to social and economic benefits."

8.03pm - Not sure how long this bit will go on for. There's a big debate coming up shortly though, I'm sure.

8pm - Lots of slides, images and much, much more. Not great for those watching on the webcast though! Doh.

7.56pm - We're now going to see a presentation on the officers report - from case officer Richard Matthews. The officers' advice was to approve all parts of the application, bar the Southlands housing remember.

7.54pm - Mrs Zoe Wilcox from the top stage is now summing up.

7.52pm - We're back underway - and two of the committee admit they are part of the Avon Wildlife Trust.

7.35pm - All statements concluded. A short break ends at 7.50pm. Come back then.

7.34pm - That's it as far as the 'for stadium' speakers are concerned. Another speaker not on the paperwork now attacks the Southlands development.

7.33pm - Dawn Primarolo's spokesperson reads out a statement to the Chamber. "I live closest to Ashton Gate so know all about the issues," she says. "There's been lots of comment and strong views. I've had over 200 letters of support for the application. There are concerns and I expect the committee to investigate those. Members of the committee have a responsibility to the whole of Bristol, for future progression. Not only Bristol City Football Club but also sport and activity as a whole. Bristol has a proud sporting tradition and we should celebrate success so far. Being minded to approve will not solve things overnight but will give the football club a springboard to success. Whichever way you go, it's a tough and brave decision but put the thoughts of the city behind you and support the application."

7.25pm - No shows for Chris Yeo or David Jackson, and now on to Paul Shakespeare from Populous. He provides a full overview of the masterplan at the new stadium site.

7.20pm - Back to the 'for stadium' statements. Mandy Thorpe, Study Centre manager for Bristol City and Bristol Rovers. "Our job is to raise aspirations - football can do that. We aim to raise self-esteem, entertainment and motivation." She tells a nice story about being asked for an autograph because she knows famous people "that's the power of football". Nice touch.

7.18pm - Another speaker - not on my paperwork - speaks up for the wildlife at Ashton Vale. "Policies will be undermined if this application is passed tonight," he says. "Bristol has a reputation as a Green city, but that credibility will be lost if this proposal is not rejected. It would be an own goal for Bristol." The opposition have started to bring football into things.

7.15pm - Two more no shows and Peter Crispin is back for a second go. He raises issues with transport - again. "They haven't taken it very seriously," he says, referring to the junctions off Winterstoke Road and South Liberty Lane.

7.12pm - Georgie Bigg is next up, speaking on behalf of the campaign to save green spaces. "The applicants agree it is inappropriate on Green Belt unless in special circumstances - we don't believe they are sound." She adds: "The application is premature." She also insists the stadium is only needed up to 30 times a year. Hmm.

7.09pm - Annette Smith's substitute (see it is football-related) speaks against the transport assessment saying: "It's wholly inaccurate and unreliable."

7.04pm - Two more opposition members aren't here. Jill Britten claims to be a rugby fan. "This application encroaches of Green Belt land," is her main complaint. "We hope the importance of maintaining Green Belt is taken into account," she adds.

7.03pm - City chief executive Colin Sexstone has his say. "Although I am City's chief executive, I was born and bred in Bedminster. I've watched City since the early 50s. I am passionate about this application. Bristol City is a vital part of our community - for the last 100 years. Pride, passion and economic values. We've heard some nonsense about the current site - it's too old, too small and too expensive to redevelopment. Quite frankly the facilities are totally and completely inadequate. The cost of developing Ashton Gate to 30,000 is the same or more as Ashton Vale - but with no finances. Anyone who thinks they'll see World Cup football at Ashton Gate - not a chance. We need to compete with the likes of Hull, Coventry, Swansea and Cardiff. We've looked at many sites, as many as 16. But Ashton Vale is the best option by far. This will be an iconic stadium unique to Bristol. The economic benefits have been assessed at £260m over the next 20 years. If we don't get that housing on Southlands, it will bring question marks. This is an opportunity for the whole of Bristol and we need regeneration." Brilliant stuff - and a huge - I mean huge - round of applause.

6.57pm - Ian Cawley, one of the landowners, comments: "My role is to enable the new development to happen. We are pleased the report largely supports the planning application. The financial jigsaw means the Southlands housing development, as well as the application as a whole, needs to be approved. To exclude the Southlands housing development puts the project at risk."

6.53pm - Jeff Kirby from Just Ecology says: "I'd like to address the outstanding issues from the report. There shouldn't be an impact of protected species." He also comments on the preservation of bats and reptiles. Another big round of applause from the City side of the Council Chamber.

6.50pm - David Baber for WSP praises the transport proposals for the new stadium, including the matchday-only resident parking scheme, cycling system and car parking numbers.

6.46pm - We're back to the City side of things, with Miles Hendy from the Supporters Trust speaking on behalf of the stadium. "Back in the 80s Ashton Gate compared well, but improvements over the years haven't kept Ashton Gate level with other stadiums. How many Chelsea shirts are seen in Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester? How many are around Bristol because they haven't seen the city compete? I am a deeply proud Bristolian and the regeneration of Bristol make it a pleasure to live and work here. The city has fallen short with modern stadia. We are failing this city when somebody has to travel to Cardiff instead of Bristol to see a major concert or event. Some 95 per cent of fans were in favour of a new stadium, with a further 3,200 fans continuing support via our website. This is major for this city, putting us on the global map of football."

6.42pm - Ashton Vale Heritage spokeswomen says: "The last time I watched a football match involved John Galley. We request councillors consider carefully what a new stadium would do to the area." She adds towards the committee: "You can defer the decision."

6.38pm - Pip Sheard says: "Bristol Friends of the Earth opposes the new stadium for three reasons; the loss of green space, the deterioration of transport in the area and destruction of wildlife habitat."

6.33pm - Next! PR Sterland, chairman from Hands Off Long Ashton, says: "We are trying to preserve the village character. The area is for nature conservation."

6.30pm - Ron Marton of Save Our Green Spaces says he would buy a season ticket at Ashton Gate if the Green Belt isn't lost. "The Green Belt should be treasured," he says.

6.28pm - That's another two speakers not here - no sign of Sheila Hardingham and Suzan Ashby.

6.26pm - Good start - Dawn Trowbridge, the first speaker against, isn't here. The second speaker Alderman Peter Crispin says: "not having the stadium is not the end of the World."

6.25pm - Now it's the turn of those against the stadium. Don't forget you can view all this online.

6.23pm - Nick Thompson completes the first part of those speaking in favour of the proposals. He speaks on behalf of Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners to discuss the Green Belt - saying there is "no alternative". He champions the social and economic benefits and says Southlands housing is "essential" to the planning application. "Without the housing this leaves at least a £5.5m hole in the funding," he added.

6.19pm - James Durie of Business West confirms the stadium as essential to Bristol as a city. He's the fourth speaker in favour of the new stadium at Ashton Vale. "It will help the club compete in the upper echelons in the league as well as giving the city the chance to bring the World Cup to Bristol." He wants to get the transport right, make the stadium 'green-friendly' and also emphasised the need to build on Green Belt to boost employment and prestige in the city.

6.15pm - Paul Shakespeare from Architects, Populus - replacing Mike Trice - says: "The stadium has a unique design for supporters." He added: "This project will deliver a stadium for Bristol that is special on every level."

6.12pm - Marie Day of the Supporters Trust says: "I'm Bristol and bred. I've been watching City for 14 years and everyone I speak to loves Ashton Gate. However it's become out of date, especially for disabled supporters - who have to sit in cramped areas in out in the elements. This stadium is long overdue. Fans know we have never had such an opportunity that we have now."

6.06pm - Gary Johnson takes the stage. "It's the biggest boardroom I've ever been in," he says to start. "I respect everyone's views, it's a very emotive subject. I'm the football club manager and it's fair I want people to vote yes. Four years ago I was interviewed by the chairman Steve Lansdown who wanted to entice me from Yeovil. I was sought after at the time, and he spoke to me about the football club's ambitions. I signed up for that. I was willing to go with him on this journey. The last part of this journey is to get promoted to the Premier League...to do that we definitely need a new stadium. I respectively and humbly ask you to say yes." A large round of applause for the boss. 

6.05pm - Each of the councillors are now confirming they have read all the reports and statements regarding to the new stadium planning application. The document is huge - a full 140 pages for the main document handed to all attending tonight.

6.02pm - "The World Cup is not going to influence this committee," says the Chair, nor will the comments in the Press today.

6pm - We are underway. Chair Lesley Alexander is explaining the role of the committee to a silent, but packed room.

5.55pm - We're nearly ready to start. The whole decision rests with nine people - the councillors on the committee who are: John Bess, Royston Griffey, Lesley Alexander, Mark Weston, Mary Sykes, Fi Hance, Jacqueline Bowles, Simon Rayner and Cheryl Ann.

5.45pm - Just 15 minutes until kick-off (to keep it football related). It's pretty packed inside the Council Chamber, although not completely full up yet.

Gary Johnson supports the campaign with fans outside

Fans arrive early to make their message heard to the Council

5.30pm - Gary and Colin spoke to Bristol City Player outside the Council House - view the video here.

5.15pm - The doors are open and people are filtering into the main chamber. Lots of Bristol City shirts on display already.

5pm - Fans and players are gathered outside with placards declaring the club's 'Say Yes' message to the Council. BBC, ITV, Sky, BBC Radio Bristol and Original Bristol are all outside talking to chief executive Colin Sexstone and manager Gary Johnson - both of whom will speak in favour tonight.

4.45pm - Inside an empty Council Chamber. Several hours later a major decision that will sway the club's future will be made here. What a night!