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NEW STADIUM DESIGN REVEALED
Pompey and Sellar Property Group have unveiled the stunning designs for a new waterfront stadium on Horsea Island.
The development will create a superb 36,000 all-seater stadium as well
as a stand-alone indoor exhibition centre/arena with an all-seater
capacity of 10,000.
The stadium will be on a ‘gateway site’ to the city on the south side
of Horsea Island, adjacent to the M275 and M27 motorway junction
overlooking the Harbour, Naval Dockyards and out to the Solent.
The development is being designed by Swiss-based leading international
architects, Herzog & de Meuron. The firm is responsible for both
the Beijing National Stadium, centrepiece of this year’s Beijing
Olympics, and the Allianz Arena football stadium in Munich.
A new Naval diving and training facility is also planned which will be
supported by a mixture of complementary low-rise residential, retail
and leisure uses.
The project, together with future redevelopment of Fratton Park, will
generate several thousand jobs during the construction period and many
hundreds of permanent jobs post completion.
Peter Storrie, Chief Executive of Pompey, said: “We only have one word to describe this stadium. Perfection.
“The club will be playing a big part in the regeneration of the city
and our fans will have the very best in terms of facilities and
amenities as well as an excellent viewing experience.
“Portsmouth Football Club has moved into a new era with the backing of
owner Alexandre Gaydamak and these are very exciting times for the club
both on and off the field. The new stadium, along with plans for the
club’s new training ground at the Alver Valley in Gosport, are proof of
where we want Pompey to be – playing at the highest level and in a
stadium befitting a top Premier League side.”
Pompey and Sellar also announce proposals for the redevelopment of the
club’s historic 17-acre Fratton Park site for a mix of low-rise
residential and retail uses.
A phased development of Fratton Park will create a low-rise scheme in
keeping with its environment. Part of the site, including the current
car park and adjacent land, will be developed while the club continues
to play at Fratton Park.
The club and Sellar have formed a joint venture company in which both
Fratton Park and the new waterfront development will be held, enabling
appropriate development finance to be secured to complete the overall
project. The creation of the residential and commercial elements of
both schemes will contribute to the development.
Subject to receipt of the necessary consents, work could get underway
in 2009 and construction of the new stadium the following year.
James Sellar, Chief Executive of Sellar, said: “‘Cutting edge’
solutions to stadia require an owner who personally identifies with the
project and is willing to embrace a scheme within a masterplan, which
is outside of the ‘accepted rules of technique’.
“Our challenge is to deliver a solution that coordinates the needs for
user comfort, sustainable access and cost effectiveness while keeping
input of materials and energy to run the facility as low as possible.
“We are delighted to be working with Alexandre Gaydamak in deep
confidence and believe this would be an extraordinary collaboration in
an era where the club is going through rapid change. Quality of
experience is all important.”
David Williams, Chief Executive of Portsmouth City Council, said: "I
think the plans for the new stadium and arena are very exciting, and
the stadium in that location would look stunning.
“I really do hope that satisfactory solutions to accessing the site can
be achieved and I look forward to seeing proposals for this.
“The club and their developer partners are aware of concerns about the
location and impact of so much shopping, both at Port Solent and
Fratton, which could be damaging to the rest of the city – this will
need to be assessed. Also, the proposed concentration of all the
affordable housing in one location conflicts with current policy.
“However, whilst it will be for the planning committee to determine the
application, the City Council will continue to do its utmost to help
the club produce a workable and acceptable scheme to achieve a fitting
new stadium for the FA Cup holders."
Commodore David Steel, Portsmouth Naval Base Commander, said: "The
Royal Navy is delighted to be working with Portsmouth City Council and
other authorities to find a solution that will allow the Football Club
to build its exciting new stadium.
“I am sure that all Service personnel in Portsmouth recognise that the
club deserves a fabulous new home in this unique maritime city of such
tremendous potential."
Supporters will be encouraged to use all forms of transport: bus, car,
park-and-ride, pedestrian and train services. A comprehensive package
of transport measures aimed at providing efficient access to all the
facilities on Horsea Island will be introduced.