Bristol City Council has approved plans for a new stadium for Bristol Rovers.

The local authority's planning committee is in favour of the plans, which would see the League Two side build the new UWE Stadium, while Sainsbury's would redevelop the current Memorial Stadium site.

Club chairman Nick Higgs told the planning board: "The application in front of members tonight provides Bristol with the opportunity to build an international sports stadium that can compete with cities such as Cardiff, Swansea and Reading, to whom we are consistently missing out on hosting national events.

"It could also help Bristol Rovers to spring up to top-flight football, and bring a huge investment to Bristol.

"The new stadium is designed to FIFA and International Rugby standards, giving a capability to host international matches. This would bring sporting recognition to the region, with the additional revenue and business opportunities that would follow."

The new facility would initially have a 21,700 capacity, but has room to expand to 35,000.

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government now has 21 days to comment on the scheme.