Bath Rugby is to apply for temporary planning consent to improve facilities at the Rec and increase capacity by 1,000 while it continues to push for the ground’s redevelopment.
The club said the four-year “interim solution” would allow it to maintain its existing configurations of the North and South Stands as well as the Seasonal East Stand.
It will also seek to improve the facilities and increase seating in the West Stand, taking the overall capacity of the Rec from 13,500 to around 14,500. 
The club said it had not been able to progress the “permanent solution” for the redevelopment of the Rec, which it consulted on in 2013, while the Rec Ground Trust, which owns the site, had sought to clarify its rights with regard to its operation.
The interim plans will go on view to the public at the Guildhall on October 16 and at the Rec on the following day.
The club said the West Stand, built in 1954, as in extremely poor condition and was reaching the end of its design life.
The plans involve retaining the back wall which faces the riverside and replacing existing seats with a temporary structure which would provide a better experience for supporters – including improved sight lines, more leg room, and better toilets.
Bath Rugby managing director Tarquin McDonald said: “Bath Rugby remain committed to finding a long-term permanent solution at the Rec, providing world-class facilities in the centre of Bath, which can be used by all.
“The club is bringing all the temporary applications at The Rec together, including the proposed new temporary West Stand, to provide clarity for the next four years. This will give us the time to work with all the key stakeholders within the city – including our near neighbours – to find the best solution for the city.
“In the meantime we wish to provide our supporters with the best possible experience and we feel the proposals including the new temporary West Stand will provide much needed improvements to the facilities.
“In addition, the new temporary stand would also provide increased capacity so more people can enjoy watching rugby at the Rec, together with the significant knock-on benefit for the local economy of additional spend in local restaurants, shops and hotels.”
Timings for the public exhibition of the temporary plans are the Guildhall (Brunswick Room) 1pm -7pm, October 16, and The Recreation Ground, 12 noon–4pm, October 17.
