Sustainability and construction

Sustainability

Proposed South Stand

Sustainability considerations – including environmental, socio-economic, cultural, community and construction - sit at the heart of the Stadium for Bath project.

Sustainability starts with the re-use of the South stand which contains significant embodied carbon, and which will be refurbished to create high quality hospitality, spectator and non-matchday facilities.

In addition, existing materials will be recycled for use in the new stadium. These materials include crushed masonry for hardcore and structural steel in the existing stands.

The lean, clean, green hierarchy provides an approach to minimise energy demands and CO2 emissions.

Specific measures include:

• Careful selection of glazing ratio and type
• High levels of insulation, building fabric selected
• Detailing and air tightness
• Passive heating and cooling
• Roof overhangs and shading from retained trees to protect West stand glazing from heat gains to reduce energy needs
• Use of renewable energy such as air source heat pumps
• Energy derived from solar PV on roofs

Energy Strategy - West stand x-section

Retaining the stadium’s location in the heart of the city is important as on-going proximity to public transport hubs helps limit scope 3 emissions.

In addition, safe cycle and e-scooter storage is proposed for the redeveloped site, with the potential for charging points and changing facilities for ‘travel club’ members. This will provide a sustainable gateway to the city.

In broader sustainability terms, the non-matchday use of the new facilities (hybrid pitch, teaching spaces, community facilities) that maximise the all year round use of the stadium as a community facility will have a positive impact on people’s lives, especially those in the community who need it most – supported by the work of Bath Rugby Foundation and the club’s Grassroots community engagement team.

Construction

A construction management plan will be submitted as part of the planning application.

The construction process will be managed sensitively to the surrounding area including the potential impact on near residents. For example, augured piles will be considered as a way to mitigate vibration and noise.

The tender process for contractors will include a requirement to carefully manage the relationship with near residents and neighbours, including regular communication and a consistent onsite point of contact.

Construction traffic will utilise the southern access to the Rec as far as possible, with consideration also being given to potential river transport from sites outside the city centre.

The construction will be phased so that rugby can continue to be played on The Rec, on the new pitch alignment, thereby retaining the economic value of matchdays in the city.