Bristol City planning officers have recommended that a proposal for a new supermarket on the site of the club's current Ashton Gate ground be refused by councillors. The Robins were considering plans to develop a new stadium at Ashton Vale subject to the supermarket proposals being given the go ahead.

In a statement, the clubs chief executive Colin Sexstone said: "[The recommendation] fails to recognise the many benefits this development will bring to the wider area.

"It will bring over £100million of private sector investment and thousands of jobs to the area. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that cannot be overlooked in today's economic climate."

Bristol City Council's development control committee is due to consider the plans at its meeting on 2nd March.

If the plans are rejected, it will be the second time that councillors have halted the supermarket scheme. The proposals were initially rejected in July last year.