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

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