Sainsbury's has lodged a planning application with Bristol City Council (BCC) for a a new supermarket on the site of Bristol City Football Club's (BCFC) Ashton Gate stadium.

The scheme forms part of the Coca-Cola Championship club's efforts to move to a new 30,000-seat ground at Ashton Vale, which was given the green light last month by the council's planning committee. However, BCFC has revealed that the supermarket scheme is a critical part of the enabling development required to ensure it does not have to take on debt to deliver the Populous-designed stadium.

A spokesperson for the club said: "Realising the full value of Ashton Gate remains vital as far as the new stadium is concerned. These plans are an important part of the enabling development that is critical if the club is not to be burdened with debt in delivering the new stadium. "Bristol City Council planners have already voted to approve plans for the new regional stadium. These plans for the enabling development will provide for an exciting future for South Bristol and the city as a whole."