GLOUCESTERSHIRE have now formally submitted their plans to redevelop the County Ground.

Resolution to grant planning permission to expand the ground was secured last year, but since this time Gloucestershire have decided to implement only one part of their planning application.

For the foreseeable future they will not be building the stands adjacent to Kennington Avenue, resulting in a capacity of circa 17,500, rather than the 20,000 originally envisaged, of which circa 7,500 will be permanent.

They have also reached an agreement with Linden Homes, which will see the proposed student accommodation being replaced by a range of one and two bedroom apartments. These new apartments will include underground parking.

The new plans were consulted on in February, and residents local to the site will soon be receiving a newsletter updating them on progress.

Gloucestershire chief executive Tom Richardson said: “Redeveloping the ground will secure our future on the current site, and enable us to better compete for major matches. “The increased capacity is especially welcome as tickets for this year’s England-Sri-Lanka t20 international sold out.

“We were pleased with the response to our public consultation, where many people said they preferred the new plans to those we previously had approved.”