Bath Racecourse Celebrates Full Planning Approval For New Grandstand

Full planning approval has been granted for the next phase of an exciting £multimillion improvement of facilities at Bath Racecourse that will see the Lansdown venue augmented by a new luxury grandstand overlooking the final furlong. The new grandstand and other improvements will ensure Bath Racecourse becomes a premier sporting, leisure and business facility.

The new grandstand will include a spacious public bar on the ground floor, viewing steps for up to 400 people and a 200 seat premier trackside restaurant with a balcony on the middle floor. The top floor will consist of an exclusive covered roof terrace offering visitors unrivalled premium viewing opportunities on racedays. The new grandstand will also offer a large function space for non-raceday events, including conferences, banquets and weddings.

Planning approval for extensive works to the hospitality suites to include the addition of balconies along with landscaping works throughout the site was secured in October and work has already commenced on these first phase improvements. Following the latest approvals work on the new grandstand will begin immediately.

Speaking about the planning application success, Bath Racecourse Executive Director Jo Hall said “This is a very exciting time for Bath Racecourse. We already enjoy an excellent reputation as a racing and hospitality venue and these new improvements will further cement this reputation, as well as ensuring we are firmly planted on the national map as a high quality destination for non-raceday events.

“The new trackside hospitality suites are already under construction will be completed in readiness for the first meeting on 15th April 2016 with the new stand opening later in the summer. We are already receiving enquiries for events in the new facilities and we are expecting the new conference suite to be popular with organisers of corporate entertainment and events, especially since we are able to offer free parking for all guests.”

The design team for the project, led by architects D5 and the Design Works Group, included Bath firm Nicholas Pearson Associates who have consulted on landscaping design and advised throughout the design development process from an ecological and environmental perspective, which was important given the sensitive nature of the site in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The planned improvements have met with approval from the local community, with Charlcombe Parish Council on record as saying ‘Bath Racecourse is an important local amenity and Charlcombe Parish Council has welcomed the progressive development and upgrading of the Racecourse facilities over recent years, which has greatly improved the visual appearance of the site...’