The city of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is at the center of a controversy over Bath Rugby's plans to expand their historic stadium, The Recreation Ground. Concerns arise from potential environmental impacts, such as effects on local wildlife like beavers and bats, and the risk to Bath's UNESCO designation, drawing parallels to Liverpool's loss of status. The proposed expansion aims to increase the stadium's capacity from 14,500 to 18,000, with intentions to modernize facilities and boost the local economy, yet it faces opposition from local council members and environmental agencies. Despite winning a legal battle allowing the expansion, Bath Rugby is revising plans to address feedback, with international heritage bodies recommending design changes to minimize the development's visual impact on the city. The debate highlights the tension between preserving Bath's cultural heritage and accommodating the economic benefits of modern sporting facilities.

Bath Rugby's expansion plans for The Recreation Ground in Bath face opposition due to potential impacts on the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site status, drawing fears from past examples like Liverpool's loss of designation due to waterfront developments.

Environmental concerns focus on the welfare of European beavers and bats in the area, with the UK Environment Agency warning that the plans overlook these protected species and potential flooding risks along the River Avon.

The expansion seeks to increase stadium capacity to 18,000, modernize facilities, and enhance match-day revenue and corporate partnerships, driven by financial struggles within rugby union, where no Premiership club made a profit in the 2022-23 season.

Legal challenges previously halted the expansion based on a 1922 covenant, but Bath Rugby overturned this with a Court of Appeal ruling, and the Supreme Court's decision not to hear an appeal paved the way for revisions to the expansion plans.

Local council member Joanna Wright and ICOMOS-UK have expressed concerns about the development's impact on Bath's historic landscape, suggesting further reductions in the stadium's height and scale to mitigate permanent harm to the city's aesthetic harmony.

Despite opposition, a public comment period showed majority support for the expansion, recognizing the importance of rugby to Bath's identity and economy, as it draws significant tourist attention and livens up the city on match days.

Historic England has stated it has no objections to the expansion on heritage grounds, contrasting with other heritage bodies urging for more sensitive design approaches to protect the city's cultural and environmental integrity.