Zaha Hadid Architects' new football stadium for Forest Green Rovers has been approved by the Stroud District Council in Gloucestershire, England.

According to an article of GloucestershireLive, the 5,000-seat wooden stadium, which aims to be carbon neutral or carbon negative, received planning permission by six votes for and four votes - which was held on December 18, 2019. 

Zaha Hadid Architects first released its concept design in 2016 and the new stadium, with its sinuous form, aims to be the world's greenest football stadium which will entirely be constructed from sustainably sourced timber - including its structure, roof cantilevers and louvered cladding.

To be built in Gloucestershire, England, this was the second attempt to win a planning permission after the same councillors voted against the project in June 2019.

While some councillors argued that the stadium might have a detrimental effect because of much noise and traffic in its surrounding, on the other hand, others said the impact was being "overstated" and the eco-friendly wooden stadium will accommodate 5,000 fans.

According to GloucestershireLive, Councillor Miranda Clifton said: "This building is iconic, it could be a tourist attraction. At the moment we are known for our waste incinerator."

Zaha Hadid Architects were selected in a competition as the winner for Forest Green Rovers' new football stadium in 2016. Regarding the project, Jim Heverin, Director at ZHA, had said: "The club’s heritage, ambition and vision reflect our own, combining the latest material research and construction techniques with new design approaches to build a more ecologically sustainable and inclusive architecture."

"Forest Green Rovers have established a holistic vision for the site to retain its pastoral qualities whilst adding new facilities for the town. While the stadium will be the centrepiece, the project creates a new public realm with both recreational and occupational uses, enabling the entire site to contribute to the town - not only on match days, but every day of the year."

ZHA's design will embody low carbon construction methods and operational processes during construction. Reaching 20-metre hight, the stadium is designed as part of the new £100million Eco Park development – Ecotricity’s 100 acre sports and green technology business park proposal, beside junction 13 of the M5 in Gloucestershire. 

The stadium’s design incorporates the club’s future growth. Initially for 5,000 spectators, increasing to 10,000 with the club’s success, expansion from phase 1 to phase 2 can be achieved without the costs of major construction works.

The other half will comprise a green technology business park with sustainably built commercial offices and light industrial units, giving Eco Park the potential to create up to 4,000 jobs, including room for the continued expansion of green energy company Ecotricity, who have submitted the overall proposal and who are already the biggest employer in Stroud with 700 people located across four sites.

The proposal will also see the development of a nature reserve on the site, a potential public transport hub, including a Stroud Park and Ride, as well as help with the restoration of the Stroudwater canal.

All images © VA

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