By John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporter: The government has ordered Bath and North East Somerset Council not to grant planning permission for plans to build a stadium in the centre of Bath without “specific authorisation.”
The council’s planning committee is set to consider Bath Rugby’s plans to build an 18,000-seater stadium on the Recreation Ground on September 17.
Today (September 9) its planning officers have published their 121 page-long report into the proposals.
But now a letter from the government has told the council not to approve the plans without authorisation, that the Secretary of State can consider whether they should be referred to them to decide instead.
In their report, council planning officers have concluded that the proposals are in overall accordance with the council’s development plans, noting: “Where the proposals are not in strict accordance with individual policies these matters are not considered to be of such weight as to amount to strong reasons for refusal.”
But, in light of the government letter, officers have stopped short of recommending the planning application be approved. Instead, officers recommend that councillors advise the Secretary of State on what the council’s decision would have been if the direction from government had not been issued.
The letter from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, published on the council’s planning portal yesterday (September 8) but dated August 26, states: “The Secretary of State hereby directs your council not to grant permission on this application without specific authorisation. […] 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.
“This letter is for procedural purposes and should not be read as any indication of the Secretary of State’s attitude towards the application scheme.”
Angela Rayner was the Secretary of State when the letter was written on August 26, but she has since been replaced by Steve Reed after underpaying £40k of tax on her second home. The letter was issued by her officials under delegated powers.
Bath Rugby’s plans to build a permanent stadium for the club on the Recreation Ground has been hugely controversial in Bath. The Recreation Ground is a green space right in the heart of the city, which some in the city argue should continue to be open space for people to use for all sports.
Ken Loach, the “Kes” and “I, Daniel Blake” director, was among the Bathonians who took part in a protest against the plans on Johnston Street on Friday.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Bath Recreation Ground was a gift to the people of Bath in 1956 and it should be an open green space forever, and that it was for the leisure for all the people of Bath and visitors for all the sports equally.
“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 Wemberley Stadium in the middle of these Georgian Houses is a travesty.”
Bath Rugby currently spends about a million pounds a year on temporary stands they have to assemble and disassemble and has warned it could limit its ability to remain on the Recreation Ground if it does not get planning permission for the Stadium. A spokesperson for the club said: “The Stadium for Bath project will deliver a new, world-class 18,000 capacity venue with increased capacity to host events and regeneration of the riverside, generating a wide range of positive, long-term economic and social benefits for the city and local communities.”
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