Stadium for Bath
Recreation
The challenges of building a stadium in a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Project Description
The project aims to develop an 18,000-capacity stadium featuring covered stands and state-of-the-art facilities. The Recreation Ground, known as “The Rec,” has served as the historic home of Bath Rugby since 1894 and is situated prominently in the centre of the city.
The new stadium will increase the capacity of the venue and provide a permanent home for the premiership team.
Details of Our Work
We have a long-standing relationship with Bath Rugby, having previously supported multiple planning applications for various additions and extensions to the existing site. We were engaged specifically due to our expertise in providing Verified Views that support townscape or landscape and visual impact assessment (TVIA and LVIA) and heritage impact assessments (HIA).
The planning objective is to create a world-class stadium while being mindful of the sensitive environment of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Many previous designs were rejected due to concerns over the design and massing. Key aesthetic views, especially over the weir and surrounding hills, needed to be preserved and respected. The Verified Views helped steer the design process and allowed the planning authority to reach a well-informed decision.
In a collaborative effort, we worked closely with Musco lighting designers and lighting engineers to create nighttime lighting visuals that demonstrate the efficacy of the improved new stadium lighting design.
Before the full stadium application, we supported several planning approvals for the annual reinstatement of temporary stands. For each application, we assessed these structures for their potential impacts on character and views in the area.
Location
- Bath Recreation Ground
Duration
- Ongoing
Client
- Bath Rugby
Collaborators
Architects – Kay Elliott
Landscape Architects – BD Landscape Design
Planning & Heritage Consultants – Turley
Stadium For Bath Day View Proposed
Stadium For Bath Night View Proposed
Project Highlights
The project highlights include integrating the stadium into an established landscape and accurately depicting enhancements to the riverside area.
One of the most significant challenges has been integrating the new stadium design into the existing landscape while ensuring that it honours the heritage of the site and maintains the important views of the surrounding areas.
Conclusion
Bath Rugby’s proposal for a new Stadium for Bath at The Recreation Ground has been approved by Bath and North East Somerset Council.
This case study reflects not only the design and planning challenges involved in creating a modern stadium within a historic environment but also the necessity of respecting local heritage while accommodating contemporary needs.
The experience gained from this project can be beneficial for architects seeking to balance modern infrastructure with historical context and emphasises the importance of collaboration, community input, and thorough assessments in the planning process.
