Bath City FC has repeated its warning that it could be forced to move away from its Twerton Park home if its ambitious redevelopment plan is kicked out by councillors.
The club has submitted a planning application for the partial redevelopment of Twerton Park to Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES). 
The proposed scheme, pictured, includes a new grandstand, community hub and all-weather 3G astroturf pitch at the ground, the partial regeneration of nearby Twerton High Street and affordable housing and co-living apartments, along with a 356-bedroom purpose-built student accommodation block, without which the scheme would not be financially viable.
Confidence is high at the club on and off the pitch two years after a community share purchase scheme raised nearly £350,000 from more than 600 new shareholders, giving the fans a majority stake.
The National League South side also enjoyed its most successful season for years, finishing fifth and narrowly missing out on the play-offs. Most home games attracted more than 1,000 people.
The club this week repeated its message that it needs to complete the redevelopment to remain in Twerton and to secure its financial future. It still has a £1m debt to be paid by 2022 and is currently operating at a loss.
Two years ago it teamed up with London-based private investment company Greenacre Capital on the redevelopment scheme – the largest single investment in Twerton for more than 50 years.
Greenacre has acquired the parade of shops on Twerton High Street, including McColls and the Co-op, along with a strip of land between this parade and the football club’s car park. 
Bath City chair Nick Blofeld, pictured, said: “We are pleased to have submitted a planning application to B&NES for what we think is an exciting redevelopment opportunity for Twerton Park and beyond.
“The significant investment this scheme will bring to Twerton will not only benefit the club, but also the local area with the rejuvenation of the High Street, and new community facilities.
“The multi-million pound proposals will deliver better community space, improve the public realm and provide much-needed affordable housing and co-living apartments for Bath’s key workers and young people.”
The planning application has been submitted after four rounds of comprehensive public consultation and community liaison.
Mr Blofeld added: “The last round of consultation for the redevelopment proposals was great, as it saw our highest attendance from the local community. We are now hopeful that as a community and a club we will be able to realise these plans, which will transform the club and also improve and update Twerton High Street.
“With support from supporters and the community for this redevelopment, we hope to secure the financial future of the club. Partnering with Greenacre Capital means the club’s debts can be cleared and we will be able to generate new and more reliable revenue streams, from much better facilities. Without this scheme the survival of the club in Twerton is extremely uncertain.”
The planning application is live on the council’s website and the club is urging supporters and the public to visit the planning portal to view the final plans and show support.
This can be done by visiting www.bathnes.gov.uk and searching application number 19/02276/FUL
Project updates will also continue to be posted on the Bath City FC website www.bathcityfc.com/twerton-park-redevelopment/
