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Ancient tree 'threatened by stadium proposals'

John Wimperis
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Bath Rugby A generated image of a stadium with two large roofs covering the blue seats on the longer sides. White seats spell out BATH on one far side. The pitch is striped with green grass and has two rugby goals. A shaded river is seen in the foreground and behind is a green field.Bath Rugby
A designer's vision of the stadium at Bath's Recreation Ground

A rugby team's plans to build a stadium pose a threat to an ancient tree, Green Party councillors are warning.

The copper beech tree is not one of the ten trees that would be removed under Bath Rugby's design proposals for an 18,000-seater stadium on the Recreation Ground, however, two councillors said a foundation and drain could be built into its root zone.

The councillors said the way the tree was being overlooked exemplified "what's broken in our political and planning system".

A spokesperson from Bath Rugby said the comments regarding the tree were "factually incorrect", and that the design proposals, which have not yet been approved, would protect it.

BANES Green Group On the left is green councillor Saskia Heijltjes wearing a yellow dress and on the right, Joanna Wright who is wearing a light pink blouse and blue trousers. They are stood in front of the protected copper beech which has a thick trunk and orange-brown leaves.BANES Green Group
Councillors Saskia Heijltjes, left, and Joanna Wright in front of the copper beech tree in Bath

Green councillor Joanna Wright, speaking alongside colleague Saskia Heijltjes, said the club's present planning application "has failed to address the real threat to this important local tree".

The tree is recognised as "notable" in the Woodland Trust's Ancient Tree Inventory.

Ms Wright said that people in political and planning systems "treat living ecosystems as if they're disposable, when in reality they are essential".

'Tragic for the club'

The stadium plan is a highly controversial topic in Bath, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Some locals would like to maintain the green space in the heart of the city.

But others point out that Bath Rugby has to spend around £1m every year assembling and disassembling temporary stands.

Bath Rugby CEO, Tarquin McDonald, said: "If we were not able to redevelop [the stadium], it calls into question our ability to stay here long term.

"That would be tragic for the city and the club."

Ken Loach, the film director, was one of the 5,500 commenters on the stadium planning application.

Mr Loach, who lives in Bath, said: "Visitors come to see the Roman Baths and Georgian architecture, not to look at a modern sports stadium – you can see those without travelling very far."

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