Wasps RFC, a struggling English Premiership club, has submitted a proposal to Sevenoaks District Council in Kent for a new stadium with a capacity of 24,000 to 28,000 seats.
They have identified two parcels of land on either side of the M25/M20 junction that they want the council to consider for stadium development.
In addition to the stadium, the proposal calls for four pitches, a gym, a medical center, an R&D center, administrative offices, eateries, a player’s club, and a hotel.
Wasps’ RFC Proposals to Sevenoaks District
Clearly, this is an exciting development from an ownership group that is determined to bring the ancient club back to relevance. In the meanwhile, the question remains if the Wasps will return before the Stadium is completed, and if so, where they will be based.
Wasps’ plans are part of a larger set of proposals submitted to the district council, which involve the construction of 2500 new homes.
The broader plans were met with opposition from local residents. Speaking on the matter, Councillor Simon Reay of Sevenoaks District Council stated: “The sites under consideration have been put forward by landowners in the most suitable and sustainable locations, those that are close to existing settlements with transport and services.
“After the consultation closes, and we have considered all of the comments, we will publish a revised version of the local plan during the summer when our communities will have another opportunity to comment on the proposals.”
Wasps FC was created in 1886 as part of the Hampstead Footbal Club but was later split into two clubs, Wasps and Harlequins F.C., due to a membership split.
Wasps would stay in Wycombe until 2014, when they would move to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. Eight years later, the club failed to return a £35 million bond, forcing it into administration.
On December 16th, 2022, the club announced that it had successfully sold and exited administration, and appeared to be returning to action in the Championship, but were later denied entry by the RFU for failing to meet a deadline to confirm commitments made when the license was first approved in December.
Lawrence Dallaglio, Josh Lewsey, Rob Andrew, Joe Worsley, Simon Shaw, and Phil Vickery are just a handful of the club’s many notable alumni.
On the field, the club is one of most successful sides in English history, with 6 Premiership titles and two European Cup titles to its name.
Leave a Reply