Bristol Rovers Football Club has moved a step closer to realising its dream of a new stadium following a deal for the sale of land to the east of Temple Meads station in the city, it is understood.
According to BusinessLive 's sister site , confirmation of the purchase of the 11-acre site at St Philip's Marsh, which is home to the city's fruit market, is expected to be confirmed this week, subject to planning.
It is understood the developer is intent on building residential properties, restaurants and other entertainment venues.
Part of the project also includes a new stadium for Rovers, with a 20,000-capacity mooted. It would mean a move for the club from Memorial Stadium in Horfield where it has been since 1996.
However, there are significant barriers still to be crossed as the planning application for the overall site is expected to take between 18 months and two years, leaving the Gas' involvement slightly in limbo.
It is understood that as that procedure takes place the fruit market will continue to trade as normal before being relocated if and when it's approved.
Due to that wait, Rovers are only able to agree to a deal in principle for their involvement in the project, and if any issues should arrive during the planning process, there are no obligations to proceed with the stadium.
In the event of the stadium being built by the developer, Rovers wouldn't own it, as they do the Memorial Stadium, but it would be a long-term lease with a minimal yearly financial obligation.
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The deal does include the sale of the land at the Mem to the same developer which intends to revamp the fruit market, with the plans for that site off Gloucester Road to be turned into a residential development.
'A complex and lengthy procedure'
It is understood the developer has no interest in purchasing any stake in the football club from Dwane Sports or the Supporters Club.
It will be a complex and lengthy procedure but is a tangible sign of progress after two years of curiosity caused by president Wael Al-Qadi's declaration prior to the kick-off of the 2019/20 season that the Fruit Market was their preferential site for a new stadium.
Wael Al-Qadi told BBC Radio Bristol on August 3, 2019: "We have options but one of the sites, as you probably know from what has been talked about, is the site at the fruit market… It is one of several sites but we are very interested in that site.
"We have already started the work that goes into planning permission. As you know it's a very long process and there's a lot of technical work that has to be done to get approval."
Negotiations between the developers, who have a history of major inner-city projects in the 海角视频, and the numerous shareholders who hold a stake in the fruit market have been long and riddled with delays, in part caused by the pandemic, but also due to legal issues resulting from having so many different parties involved.
Throughout it all, there has been a confidence within the hierarchy at Rovers that a deal can be concluded.
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Although the realisation of the dream still remains in the distance, the building of a new stadium would very much complete Wael Al-Qadi's vision for the infrastructure of the club with his family, via Dwane Sports, having purchased a majority stake in 2016.
The need for a new home has long been on the agenda of the fanbase, with the collapse of the UWE deal in 2017 a particularly painful one for the Gas.
Rovers do have a new training ground. with work beginning on the site in Hortham Lane in Almondsbury, now known as The Quarters, beginning in September 2020.
But the search for a stadium has been a long and exhaustive one. However, developments this week do bring it that extra bit closer.