England: Ambitious plans for Bath Rugby's new stadium construction

source: StadiumDB.com; author: Paulina Skóra

England: Ambitious plans for Bath Rugby's new stadium construction Bath Rugby has announced that the club has submitted plans for the construction of a modern stadium. The project involves expanding the stadium at The Rec, the club's historic home since 1894, to a capacity of 18,000 seats.

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Significant enhancements introduced

The revised application takes into account valuable feedback from the community, key stakeholders, and the Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) Council, addressing technical issues identified since the original application was submitted last year. Although the revised plans have been submitted to the council, they will be available to the public on the planning portal only in the New Year. In a statement on its website, Bath Rugby officials emphasized that the resubmitted plans retain all the key benefits from the original 2023 proposal. However, they noted that the new stadium design introduces significant improvements, including a reduction in the height of the western and eastern stands. These changes not only have aesthetic value but also enhance the fan experience during matches, while preserving the unique character of the surrounding area.

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Tarquin McDonald, CEO of Bath Rugby, stated that the new application is an important step for both the club and the city. It incorporates community feedback and input from consultants, aiming to create a stadium that meets the needs of fans while respecting Bath's heritage. The design includes improvements such as a lowered roof, enhanced waterfront development, modernized stands, and several sustainability initiatives. The 18,000-seat stadium is expected to increase accessibility and benefits for the community. The proposals are set to be presented to the planning committee in the New Year. The modified Bath Rugby stadium plans will be available to the public on the B&NES planning portal in the New Year. The club will notify the public when the documents are published, enabling social comments.

Design of Bath Rugby© Grimshaw Architects

Years of efforts for a new stadium

Part of the current stadium includes a temporary stand, which costs the club around one million pounds annually for installation and dismantling. A plan was approved in the summer to extend the use of this stand to avoid the need for quick dismantling and reassembly before the new season. The first plans for a new stadium with an underground parking lot, presented in July 2018, also included regeneration of the waterfront area. Historical legal commitments related to the site led to legal disputes, but in 2022, the Supreme Court ruled that they did not pose an obstacle to the project. Plans were submitted in 2023, and after consultations, they were redesigned and resubmitted. The development is planned to occur in phases to allow continued matches at The Rec, with work primarily taking place outside the season.

The current facilities at Bath Rugby date back to the 1950s. The club plans upgrades such as better mobility spaces, more toilets with hot water, expanded food and beverage outlets, as well as conference and banquet rooms in the western stand. The stadium will also feature offices and classrooms for the Bath Rugby Foundation. The waterfront regeneration will provide new public spaces, biodiverse plantings, and improvements to lighting and seating areas.

Design of Bath Rugby© Grimshaw Architects

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