Bath Rugby will be permitted to keep its often-criticized east stand on the Recreation Ground for the summers of 2025 and 2026, extending a temporary arrangement that has long divided local residents and the rugby club.
The temporary stands, including the prominent east stand, were initially approved by Bath and North East Somerset Council with a key condition: the east stand must be dismantled outside the rugby season each year. This compromise allowed neighbors to enjoy unobstructed views of Bathwick Hill during the summer months. However, removing and reinstalling the stand annually costs the club around £1 million.
Despite recurring protests from residents who view the structure as an “eyesore” that diminishes their quality of life, the council’s planning committee voted unanimously to extend the permission to keep the stand up through the next two summers. This decision was met with frustration by locals like Rosemary Carne, who shared her personal account at the June 4 meeting. Living next to the stand, Carne described how over 15 years, her once open views of green playing fields have been replaced by the imposing Dyson-branded structure, visible for just 16 days of rugby matches annually.
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“This is not about rugby,” Carne emphasized. “It’s about quality of life. My neighbors and I count down the days until the stand comes down every year. The relief when the views come back is worth every noise and disruption during take-down.”
The issue has split local Bathwick councillors. Manda Rigby, representing Bathwick ward, argued passionately for upholding the original condition, highlighting the cultural and heritage significance of the restored views. She noted, “Parties are held every year when the stand goes down, celebrating the return of our view and the restoration of Bathwick Hill’s natural setting.”
Conversely, fellow councillor Toby Simon, who also serves on the planning committee, pointed out the practical challenges of the take-down process. With Bath Rugby’s recent success leading to later-season matches, Simon noted that only 13 weeks are available when the stand could be removed—seven of which are required simply to dismantle and rebuild it. The remaining six weeks, during which the pitch would be fenced off to allow reseeding, make the removal effort almost futile.
In addition to extending the east stand’s tenure, the committee also agreed to prolong the temporary permissions for other stands until 2027.
Looking ahead, Bath Rugby has submitted plans to build a permanent 18,000-seat stadium on the site, an ambition that has sparked significant controversy within the city. Tim Burden, representing Bath Rugby at the planning meeting, acknowledged potential legal challenges, including judicial reviews and government intervention, which the extended temporary permission aims to accommodate.
Last year’s decision to keep the stand up had similar community backlash, leading Ms. Rigby to remark that the council was experiencing “groundhog day” with the ongoing conflict.