Twickenham stadium concert plans revised

Revised plans to bring "the world's biggest artists" to Twickenham's Allianz Stadium will be put forward, despite local opposition.

Owner Rugby Football Union (RFU) wants to hold 15 major non-sporting events each year at the ground to generate funds to invest into rugby.

People living nearby have raised concerns about disruption to their daily lives and a petition against the proposals has gathered almost 2,000 signatures.

The RFU said it had been working with Richmond Council, the Met Police and South Western Railway (SWR) to update its plans in the hope of getting public support.

The 82,000-seat stadium currently has permission to hold three major non-sporting events each year, which must not be held on consecutive days, and their capacity is capped at 55,000.

The RFU's revised plans include new limits on crowd sizes for the proposed concerts – with a cap of 75,000 at weekends and a lower limit on weekdays.

If the plans are approved, the number and scale of concerts held at the stadium would be increased in phases if local officials are satisfied the events are being well-managed.

The RFU said it had agreed with SWR for extra train services to Twickenham on event days, while local residents will get priority access to tickets.

A percentage of the ticket prices will also be put into local community projects.

Bill Sweeney, the RFU's chief executive, said the stadium – described as the second biggest in the country – was well placed to capitalise on the success of the UK's live events industry.

"The stadium is by far our biggest financial asset as a sport, but the fact that its use is currently limited to the short rugby calendar is in turn impacting the growth and potential of the game and its benefit to the local community," he said.

"Bringing the world's biggest artists here to Twickenham will also secure the £500m of funding we want to invest into rugby over the next five years."

The RFU's renewed bid to hold 15 annual concerts at the stadium comes after Richmond Council rejected its application to lift current restrictions.

The RFU is set to submit a planning application with the updated proposals to the council and is holding public information sessions later this month.

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