A public meeting has been called to discuss a land deal that provides the best chance of solving the stalemate over future development at
Bath’s Recreation Ground. Council chiefs have come up with a plan that they say should allow a new stadium to be put up at The Rec, and give slightly more protection against possible development at an open space in Combe Down. There is, however, still suspicion over the so-called land swap, which would see the charitable trust responsible for The Rec given a 125-year lease to look after land on the Firs Field site, which is owned by Bath and North East Somerset Council. The council would in turn take direct control – either under the terms of a 125-year lease or a freehold transfer – from the Recreation Ground Trust of the land currently covered by Bath Rugby’s ground and the city’s sports centre. The deal would need to be approved by the Charity Commission, which would launch a public consultation exercise, because of the charitable status of The Rec. The Friends of the Firs Field support group has called a meeting on Tuesday, September 8 at Holy Trinity Church. The meeting, at 7pm, will discuss the latest information from the council, with the group keen to clarify what level of protection from development would accompany the swap.
The council says it would ensure that Firs Field enjoyed the equivalent of official village green status but the group is keen to pin down what this actually means.