Efforts to secure the long-term future of Bath Rugby Football Club (BRFC) have moved forward after the local council unveiled plans for a potential land transfer designed to allow the club to expand its current stadium in the city.

Bath and North East Somerset Council (BANES) has entered into talks over the possibility of transferring the Fir Fields in Combe Down to the Recreation Ground Trust, which currently manages the land on which BRFC's ground is situated and has rejected the club's expansion proposals. However, BANES aims to compensate for the rugby club's proposals for a 17,500sq m (188,368sq ft) facility at the Recreation Ground by transferring the 21,000sq m (226,042sq ft) Fir Fields site to the trustees.

Malcolm Hanney, BANES cabinet member for resources, said: "Following discussion with the group leaders of all the political parties represented on B&NES, we have indicated to the trust that we are prepared to consider the transfer of additional land to the Trust to compensate for the land that would be used by Bath Rugby for its stadium proposals."