Go-ahead for Bath’s Rec redevelopment

Image: Bath Rugby

Bath Rugby’s planning application for a new state-of-the-art stadium at its historic home, The Rec, has been approved by the local council.

Bath Rugby said the application has been given the green light by Bath & North East Somerset Council. But the club understands this decision will now be reviewed by the Secretary of State.

Bath Rugby is a professional rugby union club in Bath, Somerset, England (UK). They play in Premiership Rugby, England’s top division of rugby. Founded in 1865 as Bath Football Club, since 1894 the club has played at the 14,509-capacity Recreation Ground in the City Centre.

The club submitted revised plans for the revamp of the stadium earlier this year.

Tarquin McDonald, Bath Rugby Chief Executive, said: “This decision is a landmark moment for Bath Rugby and the city. It enables us to move forward with delivering a stadium that will transform the matchday experience for fans, provide world-class facilities for women’s rugby and schools, and create a venue with year-round community use.

“Importantly, the design regenerates the riverside, protects views of our beautiful city, and incorporates significant sustainability measures.

“We would like to thank the Council, statutory consultees, stakeholders, and the thousands of supporters and residents who engaged with us throughout this process.

“We have been humbled by the overwhelming weight of support for redevelopment. This has been a true team effort, and we are proud to turn the page on this next chapter in Bath Rugby’s long history at The Rec.”
 
Key benefits of the new stadium design that has been approved by the council include:

• A purpose-built stadium befitting of the City, with a high-quality design, materials and landscaping
• Facilitating a range of sporting, leisure and cultural events
• An enhanced riverside public realm
• A wide range of Economic, Social and Environmental benefits
• A new Stadium Community Use Agreement, and Sports Development Officer
• Enhanced Travel Plan, including updated Park & Ride facilities, new cycle provision, and signage
• Enhanced CCTV provision on riverside
• Provision of a Changing Places facility in new North Stand
• Public WiFi to be provided
• New service vehicle entrance to North Parade, reducing vehicle movements to the residential area to the north of the stadium
• 96% natural grass pitch with a small number of reinforcement fibres which will be recycled at their end of life

 
Bath Rugby said that given the strength of the application which has received no objections from any statutory consultees, including UNESCO World Heritage, it hopes that the Secretary of State can now allow the Council to issue their supportive local decision so that it can deliver these important proposals.

The planning application follows a robust and positive period of consultation and reflects valuable feedback from the public, key stakeholders, and B&NES. This includes more than 5,000 comments submitted by the general public, of which approximately 95% are in support of the development.

The amended application reflects valuable feedback from the public, key stakeholders, and Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES), addressing technical points identified since the initial submission.

The new stadium design boasts significant improvements, including lowering the heights of the West and East Stands. These enhancements are not just aesthetic; they aim to elevate the matchday experience while preserving the unique character of the surrounding area.

There have been no objections to the Stadium for Bath application from any statutory consultees, including: UNESCO World Heritage; Historic England; Environment Agency; Natural England; Sport England; and Highways (local and national).
 
The application incorporates amends to reflect valuable feedback from the public, key stakeholders, and B&NES, to address technical points identified since the initial submission. These include:

• A modern, fit-for-purpose venue with great supporter facilities
• Significantly enhanced accessibility provisions
• Contemporary and sensitive design
• Increased community use
• Regenerated riverside, including the new Spring Gardens Walk
• Retention of mature trees as well as further landscaping and bio-diversity measures
• A host of sustainability measures designed to create a leading environmental operation
• Riverside café/restaurant, under the management of Bath Rugby, club shop and museum for non-matchday use

 
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