Bristol Rovers FC’s hopes of landing a new 21,000-seater stadium are heavily reliant on whether or not a supermarket chain can win a legal challenge against them going ahead with a new store.

The club needs funding from selling its existing ground to Sainsbury’s to help pay for the new £40m stadium on the northern edge of the city.

A Bristol Rovers fans' petition in support of a Sainsbury’s supermarket at the Memorial Stadium in Horfield has now topped the 12,000 mark, while a legal challenge against the supermarket from the pressure group TRASHorfield will be heard in Bristol on 13 March.

Bristol Rovers Football Club (BRFC) has already been given planning permission by South Gloucestershire Council to proceed with its new stadium development on land next to the University of the West of England's Frenchay campus.

The Arturus Architects-designed project will centre on a 21,700-seat stadium to provide a new home for the club. Gleeds, Pegasus Planning Consultants and TPA have also been involved with the plans.

The new venue will feature a bowl design and will meet all FIFA and International Rugby Union standards.

Facilities will include a 1,280sq m (13,778sq ft) gym, a 784sq m (8,439sq ft) supporters club bar, a jogging track and a banqueting and hospitality suite, as well as a teaching space.