Newport Rugby Club and Newport Gwent Dragons announce today that they have submitted a planning application for the regeneration of Rodney Parade stadium.
The scheme will provide for a 15,000 capacity stadium with 13,000 seats together with community and commercial facilities for matchday and non-matchday activities.
Newport Rugby Club Chairman Will Godfrey said “A stadium regeneration team of architects, planners and other specialists have been working for several months to produce an exciting scheme that is financially viable and provides Newport and the surrounding region with a 21st century facility for professional rugby in south east Wales and one that will provide the two teams that play here with a first class home, as befits one of the main centres of rugby union in Wales.
“The regeneration team has liaised closely with Newport City Council and I would like to thank the Council Leader Bob Bright, his Managing Director and planning officers for their support and guidance during the pre-application consultation with them.”
The scheme incorporates student accommodation and private residential apartments which will provide the funding that will enable the new stadium to be built.
In addition, community facilities are incorporated into the scheme. Some of these such as a much needed community centre for the Victoria ward of Newport and an education suite which could be specifically dedicated for community uses while others that relate to sporting and commercial activities will be open to community use when these are not required for rugby.
These include a gym, a sports injuries clinic and the opportunity for use by schools and sports clubs of a huge indoor training barn, almost half the size of a rugby pitch. A 500 seat restaurant/function room and conference facility will also be available for use by the local community.
The redevelopment of the stadium itself will take place in three stages and this will enable the rugby teams to continue playing at Rodney Parade during the initial 18 month building programme.
Martyn Hazell, Chairman of Newport Gwent Dragons said “I am delighted that we have reached the stage of submitting a planning application and look forward to securing the necessary consents in time to be able to start construction on schedule later this year.
“This new stadium will allow us to maximise commercial opportunities on both matchdays and non-matchdays and will provide a great venue for all spectators and we believe it will also attract families to come and watch rugby in comfort.
“I am particularly excited about the inclusion of so many faciltities that can be used by our local neighbours and I look forward to developing a much closer relationship with the local community.
“We will make a further announcement to introduce the details of the planning application in mid May by which time we hope that the application will be formally registered by the City Council.”
