Bath Recreation Ground Trust (BRGT) has launched a new consultation into proposals that could enable Bath Rugby to enhance and expand its stadium facilities.

The trust manages the Recreation Ground site and Bath Rugby has confirmed that the fresh plans would see it hand back some land at its Lambridge Training Ground site to the city. In return, the Aviva Premiership side would be able to occupy more space at the Recreation Ground for the development of a "slightly bigger but significantly better" stadium.

Bath Rugby said its consultation was 'in principle' and does not have any design concepts at this stage, although it hopes that it will end a long-running bid to build new facilities. A deal to buy the at Lambridge has been agreed in principle between Bath Rugby and Bath Football Club trustees, which will then be gifted to the trust once the purchase is complete.

Bath Rugby chief executive Nick Blofeld said: "The club welcomes this consultation exercise, and we hope that this will be an opportunity for as many people as possible to share their views and we will be supporting their efforts however we can. "These are exciting times and this will, once and for all, decide whether we can stay at our historic home and occupy more space for the development of a slightly bigger, but significantly better stadium."

Image: Jonathan Billinger