The government has instructed Bath and North East Somerset Council not to approve planning permission for a proposed stadium in Bath city centre without "specific authorisation."
Bath Rugby's plans to construct an 18,000-seater stadium at the Recreation Ground are due to be reviewed by the council's planning committee on 17 September.
The council's planning officers released their extensive 121-page report on the proposals this week.
However, a letter from the government has now directed the council not to approve the plans without authorisation, allowing the Secretary of State to consider whether the decision should be referred to them instead.
In the report, the council's planning officers have determined that the proposals generally align with the council's development plans, noting: "Where the proposals are not in strict accordance with individual policies these matters are not considered to be of such weight as to amount to strong reasons for refusal."
Yet, given the government's letter, officers have refrained from recommending approval of the planning application. Instead, they suggest that councillors inform the Secretary of State of what the council's decision would have been if the directive from the government had not been issued.
The letter from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, published on the council's planning portal on Monday, but dated August 26, states: "The Secretary of State hereby directs your council not to grant permission on this application without specific authorisation. [...] This direction does not, of course, prevent your council from considering the application, forming a view as to the merits or, if they are so minded, refusing permission.
"This letter is for procedural purposes and should not be read as any indication of the Secretary of State's attitude towards the application scheme."
Angela Rayner held the Secretary of State position when the correspondence was drafted on August 26, though Steve Reed has since taken over the role following her £40,000 tax underpayment on a second property. The letter was issued by her officials under delegated powers.
Bath Rugby's proposals for a permanent ground on the Recreation Ground have sparked fierce debate within the city.
The Recreation Ground represents a cherished green space at the city's heart, with many residents believing it should remain accessible for community sporting activities.
Acclaimed filmmaker Ken Loach, known for "Kes" and "I, Daniel Blake", joined fellow Bath residents in Friday's demonstration against the proposals on Johnston Street. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Bath Recreation Ground was a gift to the people of Bath in 1956 and it should be an open green space forever, and that it was for the leisure for all the people of Bath and visitors for all the sports equally.
"And now we find that one wealthy club owned by one very wealthy man has a lease and is now looking to build a permanent large stadium here. [...] A mini Wemberley Stadium in the middle of these Georgian Houses is a travesty."
Bath Rugby currently invests approximately one million pounds a year on temporary stands that require assembly and dismantling, and has cautioned it may struggle to continue operating at the Recreation Ground without planning consent for the Stadium.
A club representative commented: "The Stadium for Bath project will deliver a new, world-class 18,000 capacity venue with increased capacity to host events and regeneration of the riverside, generating a wide range of positive, long-term economic and social benefits for the city and local communities."
