Major Stadium Redevelopment Sparks Rugby Row

Local TV

A full redevelopment of St Helen’s stadium has been approved—paving the way for the Ospreys to return from next season. But rival politicians say it risks deepening regional divides.

Transcript

00:00A major redevelopment of the historic St Helens Stadium in Swansea has been approved, paving

00:04the way for the Ospreys rugby team to move back to the ground for the 25-26 season.

00:09The club, which currently plays at the largest Swansea.com stadium, says the move will help

00:13secure the future of professional rugby in the city and provide a more community-focused

00:17base.

00:19Swansea Council's planning committee voted unanimously in favour of the redevelopment,

00:23which will be delivered in two stages.

00:26Phase 1 includes a new 3G pitch, a purpose-built fan zone and modernised stands with capacity

00:31for up to 8,000 spectators.

00:33Phase 2 will add a new gym and state-of-the-art training facilities.

00:38Work is expected to begin in September 2025.

00:40The move takes place against a wider backdrop of change for Welsh Rugby.

00:44The Welsh Rugby Union is currently consulting on proposals to restructure the professional

00:47game.

00:49That may involve reducing the number of regions from four to three, or potentially even two.

00:54A decision is expected in the autumn.

00:57A cross-party group of politicians from the neighbouring Scarlets region are calling on

01:02the Welsh Government to intervene.

01:04They argue the development could affect the viability of Parcy Scarlets in Lanelli, which

01:10is only 10 miles away.

01:12They say the new ground duplicates existing infrastructure and could undermine investment in their area.

01:16In response, Swansea Council says its decision was made correctly and in line with planning

01:20policy.

01:21The Welsh Government has confirmed that it received several formal requests to call in

01:24the decision.

01:25It says those are now under active consideration, but it cannot comment further at this stage.

01:32Supporters and local business owners have largely welcomed the move, describing it as an opportunity

01:36to revive a historic venue, strengthen local identity and bring new life to nearby shops,

01:41cafes, cafes and hospitality venues throughout the season.

01:45All right.

01:48See you.

01:50All right.

01:57Let's see you again.

01:59Those are the places that you have here.

02:05We can look into these places.

02:07You see it.

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