Bath Rugby has dropped plans to build an under-pitch car park as part of the redevelopment of the Recreation Ground (the Rec).
The Gallagher Premiership club had originally proposed a 550-space short-stay car park for the Stadium for Bath project, which aims to create an 18,000-capacity, permanent stadium on the current site of the Rec.
The club had argued the car park, which would have been underneath a raised pitch would contribute to the financial sustainability of the development while also acting as protection from flooding.
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It had also said that the car park would have compensated for the loss of other city-centre car parking due to the development, therefore not adding to the number of journeys made into the city.
Business Live's sister website Somerset Live previously reported that opponents of the development had questioned how it could be built within Bath’s clean-air zone.
Bath Rugby suspended work on the stadium project in May last year due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and in a statement released on Monday the club confirmed the change to plans.
The statement read: "During this period of reflection we have identified a satisfactory design solution to mitigate long-term challenges relating to flood risks and the water table which do not require the full raising of the pitch.
"The world has changed over the course of the pandemic.
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"We no longer believe it is appropriate to base the sustainability of the stadium and the club on car parking. We will therefore not be including an under-pitch car park in future proposals for redevelopment at the Rec."
Bath Rugby has played on the Rec since 1894 and the club has a lease to remain there until 2070.
The club currently operates a temporary stand on the land, as well as bringing flood lights in for games, which costs it around £1m a year in operating costs.
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Lawyers acting on behalf of Bath Rugby are seeking an appeal following a declaration from a court on the 1922 covenants, which state developments like a new stadium would not be permitted, are not legally enforceable.
Bath Recreation Limited, Bath Rugby's landlord, has also been granted permission to join the appeal proceedings. The appeal hearing is due to be heard in Autumn 2021.
The statement from Bath Rugby added: "Our commitment to the city and to the contribution we can make through playing rugby at the Rec is undiminished.
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"We will continue to consider solutions for an appropriate design at the Rec, which must also be financially sustainable over the long-term.
"The appeal hearing in the Autumn is an important next step on the journey."
Bath Preservation Trust, the charity responsible for the city’s UNESCO World heritage Site, welcomed the announced axing of the car park, but raised concerns about the height of the proposed development, with future plans for the project still to be revealed.
Bath Preservation Trust’s chief executive Caroline Kay, who recently revealed she will be stepping down from the role after 13 years, said: “In particular we welcome the removal of proposals for a large car park under the pitch; partly for environmental reasons as car parking encourages car travel and partly because we assume this removal will enable there to be a reduction in the overall height of any new stands.
“We are concerned that a reduction of height is not made explicit in the statement and will work constructively with Bath Rugby and Bath Recreation Ltd to help find an acceptable solution for the heart of the World Heritage Site while hoping to retain the historic vibrancy of rugby on the Rec.”