Exclusive: Twickenham residents branded anti-fun NIMBYs in rugby stadium row
Twickenham residents have been accused of being part of the “anti-fun lobby” after a petition to restrict England Rugby’s plans to host most concerts at Allianz Stadium reached 3,000 signatures.
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.
An update on the petition set up by a Twickenham resident issued on Monday provided a template for angry locals to send to the council, citing reasons such as noise and sleep and exam disruption. Others argue that local businesses would thrive with the extra trade.
“This is just another example of the stranglehold the anti-fun lobby has on Britain today,” Tom Willerton-Gartside of anti-NIMBY lobby group Looking For Growth told City PM.
“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.”
Allianz Stadium for more than rugby?
The RFU did not comment but is understood to have engaged with locals and has proposed such tactics as anti-pee paint to stop public urination and anti-social behaviour on event days.
Its current license states that it can host three non-sporting events per year, with only one of those not on a Saturday. Richmond Council – now completely occupied by Liberal Democrat members – reportedly wants this to remain, with plans for 36 smaller events, such as weddings, also disliked by locals.
An industry expert suggested that the RFU would gain around £400,000 per concert, demonstrating the potential upsides of expanding its offering as it competes with the capital’s other venues.
One local resident told City PM that midweek gigs, and not more rugby on weekends, is the issue.
“It means driving home you will be stuck in hours of traffic,” they said. “You can’t get take-out or anything else as you are literally trapped.
“There’s no issue with rugby at all but it’s so disruptive. How much do the RFU really make per concert?”
It is understood any meeting over the future of the events structure will not take place until at least September.