A GOVERNMENT letter has urged Bath and North East Somerset Council NOT to approve Bath Rugby’s new stadium plans until being given the go-ahead by the secretary of state.
Bath want to revamp the Recreation Ground into a new 18,000-seater stadium, with their current home largely made up of temporary stands.
Bath RugbyBath want to significantly revamp their Recreation Ground home[/caption]
Action ImagesThe Premiership side have played at the Rec since 1894[/caption]
The Premiership side believe that the project will rejuvenate their historic ground, where they have played since 1894, while “respecting the rich heritage of the city”.
Despite this, some residents have protested against the plans, believing that the Recreation Ground should remain an open green space.
Filmmaker Ken Loach, who joined the protests, told the BBC: “Bath Recreation Ground was a gift to the people of Bath in 1956 and it should be an open green space forever.
“And now we find that one wealthy club owned by one very wealthy man has a lease and is now looking to build a permanent large stadium here.
“A mini Wembley Stadium in the middle of these Georgian Houses is a travesty.”
The Bath and North East Somerset Council Planning Committee is set to meet to discuss the proposal on September 17.
But a Government letter, dated August 26, has urged them to hold fire on stamping their approval.
An excerpt of the letter read: “The secretary of state hereby directs your council not to grant permission on this application without specific authorisation.
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“This direction does not, of course, prevent your council from considering the application, forming a view as to the merits or, if they are so minded, refusing permission.”
It remains to be seen how Angela Rayner‘s resignation as housing secretary could affect the stance.
Rayner, 45, was still in post when the letter was penned, but has since been replaced by Steve Reed.
A Bath statement on Wednesday insisted: “There are no objections from statutory consultees, including UNESCO, Historic England, Natural England, the Environment Agency, and others to the Stadium for Bath application.
“The proposals seek to rejuvenate the club’s historic home at The Rec (where the Club have played since 1894), to create a world-class venue that meets the needs of supporters, the Bath community, and other users, whilst also respecting the rich heritage of the city.
“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 per cent are in support of the development.
“If the Planning Committee agree with the recommendations of the report and resolve to approve the club’s application (subject to a Section 106 legal agreement and relevant planning conditions), the application will then be referred to the Secretary of State, which is standard procedure for an application of this scale.”
The Somerset side are set to take on Exeter at the Recreation Ground this Saturday.
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