Bath City FC has stressed the community benefits of the regeneration scheme for its ground at Twerton ahead of the plans going before councillors early next year.
The club not only says the decision is crucial to its long-term future at Twerton Park, where it has played since 1932, but for the community in one of Bath’s most-disadvantaged areas. 
The community-owned club has previously made public its need to make changes in order to remain in Twerton and resolve its own finances.
It has a £1m debt due for repayment by 2022 and is still running at a loss despite the 2018/19 season being its most successful for years with record attendances.
The National League South side finished fifth, narrowly missing out on the play-offs, with most home games attracting gates of more than 1,000.
The regeneration scheme follows a community share purchase scheme two years ago that raised nearly £350,000 from more than 600 new shareholders, giving the fans a majority stake in the club.
Since then the club has teamed up with London-based private investment company Greenacre Capital on a joint scheme to both redevelop part of Twerton High Street and the football ground – making it the largest single investment in Twerton for more than 50 years.
The plans include a new grandstand, community hub and an all-weather 3G astroturf 3G pitch alongside a 356-bedroom purpose-built student accommodation block, without which the scheme would not be financially viable.
Bath & North East Somerset Council is expected to rule on the application in February.
Bath City chair Nick Blofeld said: “We think Bath City FC is an important part of the community. We’re really hoping for a positive outcome from the planning committee meeting as we want to stay here.”
Stressing the wider benefits the proposals will bring to Twerton, he added: “We firmly believe the scheme developed with Greenacre brings numerous benefits not just for the club but also the community.
“There is also a great opportunity here for further investment in Twerton, with the West of England Combined Authority already offering another £650,000 for improvements if our development goes ahead.
“A refreshed High Street will attract new shops and businesses and we’ll be creating improved public spaces and a club with useful, usable space year round.
“We have worked closely with the council throughout this process and we’re appreciative of the advice and guidance they have given us. There has also been a huge amount of support, with record numbers of comments of support on the planning portal from the Bath community, who are keen to see a brighter, more secure club, able to play a bigger part in the community.
“As a community-owned club, we have done the responsible thing and devised a scheme to help ensure our long-term future in Twerton and pay off our debts, and the decision now rests in the hands of our elected councillors in Bath.
The club has also held four rounds of comprehensive public consultation and community liaison.
A leaflet on the development’s current status for community shareholders and supporters will be available to view at https://www.bathcityfc.com/twerton-park-redevelopment/
The club will also keep supporters updated via social media handle @BathCity_FC and regular website updates.
