Bath Rugby are aiming for construction work at the Rec to get under way in summer 2027.
Bath Rugby chief executive Tarquin McDonald has set out the timeline for the redevelopment of the Rec | Photo © Richard Briggs
The club have received the go-ahead – bar formal approval – to redevelop the iconic ground into an 18,000-capacity stadium.
In a statement on Saturday 11th October, prior to their Gallagher PREM victory over Gloucester Rugby, the Blue, Black & White’s chief executive Tarquin McDonald set out the timeline for the scheme – and how funding will be obtained.
McDonald said: “On Friday 26th September we were delighted to update you with news that the Secretary of State has decided not to call in our stadium planning application, and the decision therefore rests with the local planning authority, B&NES [Bath & North East Somerset Council].
“We were surprised that our application was being considered for call-in given the quality of the work undertaken by our design team which resulted in there being no objections from any statutory consultees, including UNESCO World Heritage.
“The unprecedented speed at which the Secretary of State responded in pushing the application back to B&NES is testament to the quality of that work.
“This means that the planning committee decision on 17th September 2025 to approve our stadium proposals holds.
“A few points of detail were raised at the planning committee relating to matters such as noise management. We are working with B&NES to address these matters and finalise our legal agreement with the council over the next few weeks, at which point our planning application is formally approved.
“In terms of next steps, our focus turns to financing and the detailed design phase.
“Our plans for funding the stadium project incorporate several elements including a stadium naming rights sponsorship deal.
“This opportunity will be appealing to potential sponsors given the profile of the club and our stadium location, which sits in the heart of a double world heritage city with a six-million annual visitor footfall.
“One of our key criteria for potential sponsors is that they align with the character, brand and ethos of the club and the city.
“Once our planning permission is formally confirmed we can enter meaningful conversations regarding stadium funding. This will also enable us to plan the next stage of detailed design, which will be extensive.
“The detailed design stage builds on the excellent work undertaken to achieve our planning permission, which was primarily focused on the design, engineering, form, scale and massing of the stands together with the detailed aesthetics for the facades and roofs.
“During this next stage of detailed design we will finalise the external materials, and at the same time focus on the internal spaces, the mechanical engineering, right down to the details on specific fixtures and fittings.
“During this period the construction management plan will also be finalised. This next stage will ultimately inform the contractor procurement process, and we will take our time to manage it carefully.
“We play rugby in one of the world’s most iconic sporting venues. [Friday 3rd October’s] wind-swept, rain-soaked clash against Sale was played in front of a full house who stayed cheering for the full 80 minutes.
This was yet another reminder of what we already know, we have the most passionate and loyal supporters in the world. Thank you.
“We are now embarking on the next stage of our stadium project, to give you the most amazing new home that you deserve, to give our players and staff the most incredible stadium in which to play rugby, and to create an iconic new riverside stadium which delivers community benefits every day of the year.
“Our ambition remains that we continue to play at The Rec through a phased construction.
“We are targeting the 2027 off-season to commence construction, allowing time for the next stages of funding and detailed design.”
