The Leader of B&NES, Cllr Kevin Gu,y has now replied to the open letter sent to him by Cllr Joanna Wright, who is a ward councillor for Lambridge and leader of B&NES Green Group.
She wanted a delay in deciding on the planning application for a new and permanent rugby stadium on Bath Rec – which is due to be heard by the planning committee at their meeting on Wednesday, September 17th at 10am in the Guildhall Council Chamber.
In her letter she argued:
“The present Planning Application 23/03558/EFUL for a new permanent Stadium on Bath Recreation Ground is a decision that will have a massive impact on the heart of a city with a double inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
Due to the recent decision by Widcombe and Lyncombe Ward Councillor, Deborah Collins, to resign from her elected role, I ask that you ensure that the current diary date, 17th September 2025, to determine the outcome of this application, is postponed.
Bathwick and Widcombe, and Lyncombe Ward residents will be significantly impacted by this planning application, and it is therefore a material issue in any forthcoming by-election campaign. This must be a transparent process that is held in full public view, as it is such an important and monumental decision for the residents of B&NES.”
Cllr Guy has replied:
“As Cllr Wright should know, the Executive does not have a say over the planning system.
Planning meetings as far as I’m aware generally have not been stopped because of pre-election periods, and doing so on this occasion could, in my opinion, send a signal that politics rather than planning law plays a key role in decision-making on the Rec.
That would be a very false signal, dangerous, and if it was seen as such externally, potentially hugely costly to our taxpayers.
As stated, neither I nor any other elected member has a say in the statutory operational aspects of planning, though I have confidence that the Chief Executive and Head of Planning can answer any questions.
I believe they have today decided that, according to LGA advice any planning committee not actually in the ward where a by-election is happening should go ahead, but any further queries should go to them.
In addition, I need to reiterate how professionally Cllr Deborah Collins has behaved, and we wish her all the best in her cancer treatment.
To allay any further confusion caused by the inconsistencies in Cllr Wright’s open letter, as Cllr Collins has resigned, she is no longer a councillor, therefore would not be sitting on the planning committee in any case.”
Councillor Wright’s summary of the situation is a very fair one. This planning application is clearly not a ‘Stadium for Bath’ . It is a ‘Stadium for BATH RUGBY’
Thank you Richard for sending this out – the contents are valuable knowledge for everyone who lives in Bath.
How can we still be going over the same issues after so long?! The request for yet another delay should be dismissed and the planning meeting held as planned.
Well done, Joanna, for dedicated research and support for all community recreation, not just a few who can pay
This application should be delayed, if not made nul and void in the light of the historic dedication
Let’s hope it is delayed; let’s hope the whole disastrous proposal is ditched – for good
It’ seems clear from his reply that Kevin Guy feels confident that all the groundwork has been carefully laid for the planning decision to benefit the private offshore company that currently owns Bath Rugby. He mentions “inconsistencies ” in Coucillor Wright’s letter but fails to explain what he thinks they might be. Is he talking about the off shore company that owns Bath Rugby which makes it a valuable, tradable asset iof the company? Is he denying the clarity of the original covenant which granted the Recreation Ground for the benefit of the people of Bath as opposed to a private company to do with it as it sees to the benefit of its shareholders ? If this deal passed under the Liberal Democrat administration it will be a legacy that it’s members will come to regret.
Obviously the LibDems are anti sport in the City unless it’s for the University of Sport. The now extinct Indoor Bowls Club became victims after 20 years of broken promises.
Perhaps put it to a public vote? I suspect the overwhelming result will be in favour from the 10s of thousands of Bath Rugby fans (not a few). Bath Rugby is the number one team in England currently and a great asset to the City of Bath.
Yes, and it was only a handful of years ago they came in 7th and 13th (of 13) so maybe we shouldn’t make permanent changes to the city based on a team that’s only 24 months away from another abject embarrassment.
The Rec belongs to the people of Bath.
It will be very interesting to see Kevin Guy’s response this letter. A private off shore company owning Bath Rugby club seeking to ride roughshod over a clear covenant and build a stadium which will enhance the assets of the company should it decide to capitalise on its investment at some future date is a matter of great legal and financial significance. Let’s see what happens next.
I was a member of Bath rugby club until it became professional and owned as a business. It should then have been given reasonable notice to leave the rec. as it was a public space not a business space.