Background and Update:
In order to host 15 concerts our understanding is that the RFU need to change both (1) their Planning Permission; and (2) their License.
Their current Planning Permission only permits three concerts a year. They are therefore seeking the Council (LBRUT)’s permission to increase this to 15 concerts a year (the RFU say concerts will increase incrementally over the next couple of years from 3 to 15). Their Planning Application was submitted in May 2025 and on 30 July 2025 LBRUT determined that the RFU need to undergo an EIS (Environmental Impact) assessment.
Notably LBRUT expressed concerns over transport infrastructure and the environmental impact of the RFU’s proposed concert plans.
The EIS assessment is ongoing and only once that is completed will the RFU resubmit their Planning Application for 15 concerts.
We are expecting that to be in Q1 or Q2 2026.
The RFU also made an application for a new license in June 2025. Part of the application requested the removal of a key restriction in the License concerning concerts.
The original License restricted the RFU to three concerts per year (reflecting the Planning Permission ) but importantly it restricted to those three concerts to Saturdays with one concert allowed on a Friday.
This means that the license does NOT permit any concerts Sunday to Thursday; and of the three permitted concerts only one can be held on a Friday. This also means that currently there cannot be a three day multiple concert event.
In response, 192 residents objected to the Licence application and after a meeting held by LBRUT on 30 September 2025 (where residents gave evidence) LBRUT REJECTED the Application .
The RFU have recently appealed this decision to the Magistrates Court against LBRUT.
On that basis LBRUT need our help to defeat the RFU’s Appeal!! By signing this petition you are helping with that - please ensure that every member of your household over the age of 18 has signed this petition.
We also suggest you also register any complaints you have with the RFU and LBRUT.
Finally, the RFU are suggesting that local residents “will reach a compromise” with them.
This Petition does NOT support ANY compromise. It seeks to have both the Planning and Licensing Applications rejected.