England Rugby chiefs are being forced to wait for a crucial planning meeting over the future of events at Allianz Stadium.
Hopes had been raised that a meeting to determine whether the Twickenham arena could significantly boost its number of non-sporting events – from three to 15 – would be held in September.
But the schedule for this month’s Richmond Council meetings has no planning committee scheduled to convene until 23 September, and City AM understands that it will not feature the aforementioned debate surrounding the Allianz Stadium.
Local residents against the plans – which they say will cause inconvenience and risk a surge in anti-social behaviour, among other concerns – have orchestrated a campaign against the plans. Rugby Football Union’s chief Bill Sweeney has previously said restrictions mean the south west London arena loses out to the likes of Wembley and the London Stadium.
The consultation period has ended but the planning meeting will not take place until at least October, with no date currently set. The first planning meeting next month is scheduled for 14 October.
Twickenham obstacles
Residents against the plans, which have been backed by some local businesses, were described as “anti-fun” NIMBYs by economic lobbyists Looking for Growth.
“This is just another example of the stranglehold the anti-fun lobby has on Britain today,” Tom Willerton-Gartside of Looking For Growth told City AM last month.
“Events and festivals, some of which have long histories, have been cancelled over bogus complaints, and now Britain’s hospitality industry is under attack. It’s time for the Government to end the war on fun.”
The home of English rugby is able to host an unlimited number of sporting events but has submitted a planning application to Richmond Council asking for their current cap of three non-sporting events per year to be hiked to 15.
The Rugby Football Union has long argued that this would allow Twickenham to compete with the likes of Wembley Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in giving artists the opportunity to play three or more legs of their tour at the 82,000-capacity arena.