ECOTRICITY and Forest Green Rovers have unveiled the next part of the complex jigsaw in their plans to move the club to Eco Park.

The National League side have revealed a first glimpse at the plans to redevelop its historic home at The New Lawn stadium into around 90 eco-homes.

Forest Green is planning to move to a new home at the controversial £100m sports and technology hub near Junction 13 of the M5.

If the club gets the green light to build the 100 acre development, it has plans to build a brand new state-of-the-art new stadium on site.

With its old ground in Nailsworth surplus to requirements, FGR is aiming to turn it into high quality, sustainable homes that act as a “lasting legacy” to the club.

This would see the 10-year-old 5000 capacity stadium demolished to make room for around 90 two, three and four bedroom homes, parking spaces and access roads.

The concept plans also include space for the possible creation of green spaces, mini-allotments, kitchen gardens, wildlife area, children’s play area, an orchard and building for community use or work units.

However, the redevelopment would see the club move away from its historic home and an end to the stadium it built just a decade ago.

It would also stand out against the area’s Local Plan and leave Nailsworth without its key sporting facilities and gym.

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Ecotricity founder and FGR chairman Dale Vince said: “Through this potential redevelopment of The New Lawn, FGR’s home of the last ten years, we hope to leave a great legacy for the people of Nailsworth.

"It’s the flip side of our planning application for Eco Park, where we hope to build our new stadium and the associated green technology business park.

“As with everything we do, the New Lawn development will have sustainability as a core principle.

“Everything from the building fabric, site design and energy efficiency, as well as wider social aspects including the use of open space and connectivity to the surrounding landscape and local community.

“We think this is an ideal use for the site, should FGR relocate, and it will bring much needed new, affordable and low carbon housing to the district.”

He is inviting residents to have their say on an initial concept design for the new homes.

A public consultation event is being held at The Mortimer Room in Nailsworth on Saturday September 24 from 9am-1pm.

A project team will be on hand to talk to people about the designs and discuss the environmental assessments that need to be carried out.

The proposals have so far drawn both praise and criticism from the community.

Deputy mayor Sue Reed (Labour) who has lived in Nailsworth for over 30 years, said: “There needs to be a great deal of community involvement in this plan if Eco Park goes ahead.

“We really will need to have a real say on what shape this development in Forest Green takes.

“The stadium relocating would mean Forest Green would lose a lot of its community assets, including its main gym.

“While eco home are to be welcomed and should be applauded, we have to ask the question of whether the area actually needs more housing.

“Forest Green already has the biggest population in Nailsworth. What we actually need is more amenities, shops and primary school places. Housing isn’t top of the list.

“Plus the club grew out of Forest Green so it would be a shame to see the club move. It will lose a key part of its identity.”

District councillor Steve Robinson, a resident of Nailsworth his whole life, said he wasn’t sure if the trade was worthwhile.

“We’d be gaining almost 100 new eco homes and affordable houses for the town – but in return we’d lose community assets, sporting facilities, the dance studio and the gym,” he said.

“It’s early days yet, but I’m not sure if this is the right option for the town. There needs to be a lot more public consultation.

“One thing I would like to see is starter units for small businesses. Another thing is that the 20 or so affordable housing units built there should be brought under the control of the Nailsworth Community Land Trust.

“That way we would be able to allocate the housing to the people in our area that need it most.

“We also have to look a lot of the infrastructure up there. Are the roads capable of absorbing all the new cars? During the school run the traffic is already backed up down Nympsfield Road.”

Dorcas Binns, Conservative county councillor for Nailsworth, also encouraged the public to take part in the consultation.

“I welcome this public consultation and would encourage residents in Forest Green and Nailsworth to attend drop-in sessions, view the plans and express their thoughts and concerns about the eco homes proposal,” she said.

The New Lawn has been the home of FGR since 2006 and has a capacity of 5,140, of which 2,000 is seated.

The club say that the relocation will allow for greater ease for supporters, less traffic clogging up Nailsworth, the ability to attract better players to FGR and that it fits in perfectly with the team’s fresh hopes of promotion.

FGR’s commercial manager Paula Brown says that with attendances at games having grown 73 per cent over the last four seasons, the move is necessary to “meet the club growth and training aspirations”.

Among many other issues, she argues the new location would provide better transport links and car parking and facilities for the fans, allowing for a natural growth in support over the next few years.

At the time the New Lawn cost the club £3 million to build and was approved in October 2003 by local council members. It was completed in 2006.

FGR fan Chris Gardner has been following the club for over 30 years, writes an away-game column and has recently penned a book about last season’s campaign.

“Some say the club will lose a big part of its identity if we move away from the New Lawn – but I just don’t think that will be the case,” he said.

“Over the last few years since Dale Vince came in we’ve already undergone so dramatic changes. We’ve seen the ethos, the badge and kit colours change and the vegan diet come in.

“Forest green has already changed its identity and we’ve not much different of how we were before.

“With financial backing from Ecotricity our name and brand have become synonymous with green and eco policies – and that identity will continue at the new ground.

“The club still has its heart in Stroud and that isn’t going to change.

“Moving to a bigger ground with better facilities, access and transport links is the best way to sustainably grow the club. This will also help us attract more supporters from further afield.

“The relocation is key to the club’s development over the next few years – if that’s what it takes to reach our full potential then it’s a move worth making.”

Then it faced significant local opposition due to the siting of the development on school playing fields.

The current ground has facilities to house 230 car parking places, three coach parking places, a capacity of 5,147 and two seated stands. It also has a leisure club, gym, sauna and conference and meeting facilities.

The playing surface was the world's first organic football pitch and the club also boasts many eco features.