Revised plans for a fanzone at the County Ground have been approved.

In April, Swindon Town Football Club submitted an application to Swindon Borough Council to turn an area of grass opposite the club shop into an area for supporters to gather. 

These plans initially included the erection of a timber kiosk, the putting up of paladin-style security gates and fencing, replacing grass with hardstanding and removing bushes and trees. 

But the council's drainage officer Richard Bennett, ecologist Des Hobson, and environmental officer Charles Potterton all objected to them, with others like tree officer Tim Stringer and South Swindon Parish Council not objecting but raising concerns. 

As a result, new plans were submitted on July 5 revising the fanzone area and retaining much of the plant life, which has now been approved. 

(Image: Dave Cox)

The changes made from the original plans to the new ones are detailed in the report from the planning officer, James Peck, who recommended the plans be approved. 

He said: "During this planning application's determination, new revised plans and details have been received by the local planning authority in respect of a proposed Fan Zone area.

"This has included reducing the length of the application site by around 25 per cent so that it no longer reaches the existing landscaping tree to the north-west that is adjacent to the ‘Don Rogers’ stand at the adjacent County Ground football stadium.

"The previously proposed ‘paladin’ style fencing has now been changed to a low-level type that would be set behind a retained and proposed hedge boundary.

"The surfacing for the proposed fan zone area would now be made from a permeable gravel material that would allow water to drain down in a sustainable manner, to reduce surface & groundwater flow in the area.

"A previously proposed kiosk hut in the fan zone has also been omitted from the latest proposed plans."

The statue of Don Rogers is still part of the plans, with the club writing to the council that the statue is intended to be a 'landmark feature' that pays homage to Swindon Town Football Club's footballing heritage.

(Image: Swindon Borough Council)

In making his decision, Mr Peck wrote: "The proposed fan zone would provide additional supporter space, and help enhance the fan experience on match days.

"The supporting statement provided with the latest proposed development scheme indicates that the proposed fan zone is one of number of re-development opportunities that are being explored to enhance the football experience at the County Ground stadium.

"As such, it is considered that the Change of Use of land for a proposed fan zone would not undermine the open public space function of the adjacent grassed open spaces, and the proposed works would provide a community benefit for Swindon Town Football Club and its supporters in its ongoing re-development drive for the County Ground stadium.

"As such, the revised proposal is considered to be acceptable in-principle."

In their submissions to the council, a spokesperson for Swindon Town Football Club said: "The Fan Zone is more of a community area and is designed to serve as an open-air space where on match days fans can gather around a new landmark in the town, a statue that celebrates our history.

"The area will host various activities such as player interviews, live music and dance performances on match days, and we hope other events throughout the year, in collaboration with the Arts Council and Swindon Borough Council."

They added that the area was approved as part of wider stadium-wide redevelopment that will take 'years' to come to fruition. 

The approval decision was posted on the council's planning portal on July 31.