Bath Rugby has now submitted a planning application to temporarily expand its ground at The Rec ahead of a major new stadium development.
The club had been hoping to have its new stadium completed in time for its 150th anniversary next year, but is now putting in place plans for a temporary capacity boost for the milestone.
The complication of a charity tribunal rejecting an attempt to give the club extra space on The Rec is now forcing it to review its designs for a new arena which would dramatically open up the riverside and expand capacity.
The interim planning application now lodged with Bath and North East Somerset Council for changes to the existing buildings at The Rec would raise capacity from just over 12,000 to 14,000.
The club is seeking permission for building work to boost capacity for the next two seasons - 2014/2015 and 2015/2016.
Chief executive Nick Blofeld said: "As we gear up for a year of special events to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Bath Rugby, this temporary application means we can provide more capacity and better facilities for our spectators. It will also enable more supporters to get closer to the action during a landmark year in the club's history."
He added: "This temporary application, however, is completely separate to our main plans to redevelop our ageing facilities at The Rec. Those plans are being reviewed, following the recent charity tribunal's decision and the Recreation Ground Trustees' seeking leave to appeal."
The club says many of its games have either sold out or been near sell-outs this season.
It says: "With plans developing for a series of events in and around the city to celebrate its 150th year, the club is anticipating increased demand, particularly for hospitality space."
The application is for new rows of seating at the existing seasonal East (Novia) and North (Thatchers) stands and more hospitality boxes in the South (IPL) stand.
The club's long-term aim has been to increase capacity to 16,000.
It is now waiting for a timetable for the appeal by the Recreation Ground Trust - the committee which oversees the land on a day to day basis - against a charity tribunal ruling which makes development more complicated there.
The tribunal rejected the idea - outlined in a scheme put forward by the Charity Commission - of allowing Bath Rugby a bigger footprint on The Rec in return for a land swap arrangement at Lambridge.
The trust is now applying for leave to take the case to the next tier in the appeal process, although it could be several months before a result is known.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
