Johann van Graan: Rec development a ‘big step’ in Bath’s history

The redevelopment of the Recreation Ground will be another “big step” in the history of Bath, said head of rugby Johann van Graan.

Plans to expand the ground to an 18,000-capacity stadium were given the go-ahead last week following confirmation that the project would not be challenged by the secretary of state.

Bath and North East Somerset Council had already granted planning permission for the expansion on 17 September.

“Life is about change and adapting to it and whenever the time comes that we play our first game there somewhere in the future I think it will be another big step in the history of Bath Rugby, a club founded in 1865,” Van Graan told BBC Radio Somerset.

“I remember when I was a young boy, a floodlight was changed at Loftus [Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria] and what a big moment that was. To play in a new stadium will be amazing and hopefully we can get that done as soon as possible.”