Rugby stand to remain all summer despite objections

More than 50 people complained about East Stand staying up all summer

A stand at Bath Rugby's Recreation Ground has been given the green light to remain all summer, despite more than 50 objections.

The club usually has to take down the stadium's East Stand in the summer months, allowing locals to enjoy an unobstructed view, under a rule laid down by Bath and North East Somerset Council (BANES).

But following the club's success this season, which saw them only narrowly lose the Gallagher Premiership final, BANES has approved proposals for the stand to stay up this year.

Council chairman Ian Halsall said: "It just seems bonkers to be taking down a stand to reassemble it just for a few weeks."

The East Stand, at the bottom of the image, is a temporary structure which is removed every summer

Due to the club's final match taking place on 1 June, there would have only been nine to 10 weeks before it needed to be rebuilt for the new season - and three weeks of that on each end would be spent taking it down and putting it back up.

A planning committee on 6 June was told that 52 people had lodged objections, with four people issuing messages in support of the club's proposals, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Bath Rugby’s planning consultant, Tim Burden, told councillors organisers for summer events planned to use the stand, including the Bath Rugby Summer Scrum, Bath Carnival, and graduations from both of the city's universities.

He added: "There are also environmental benefits in terms of removing the significant construction traffic movements and noise which occur during the construction phases."

Planning committee member, Toby Simon, said the stand was was "not a thing of beauty", but added that logic points "firmly" towards allowing the stand to stay.

He said: "134 HGV movements is a considerable disadvantage to this city. Two and a half tonnes of carbon saved - that's worth doing.

"I think the fact that this council has declared a climate emergency since the original imposition of this requirement to take the stand down is a material factor that we need to build in."

The club is in the process of applying for planning permission to replace the current stands with a permanent stadium.