Imagine a world where misbehaving fans could be made to feel the consequences of their actions—sounds like a plot twist, doesn’t it? The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is considering a rather unconventional solution dubbed "anti-pee paint" to appease the residents of Twickenham while pursuing permission for an increase in live music events at the Allianz Stadium.
In its quest to host up to 15 concerts a year, the RFU has faced pushback from the local Richmond council, which recently imposed a continuation of strict limitations—allowing just three concerts annually, with only one permitted on a day other than Saturday. This stipulation comes amidst rising concerns from residents regarding anti-social behavior linked to late-night events and England matches, resulting in a perception that the RFU’s ambitions are both unreasonable and impractical.
The RFU has voiced its frustrations about how other venues, like Wembley and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, can enjoy looser restrictions and greater earnings from non-sporting events. This is particularly pressing for them as they aim to fund a massive £660 million renovation of Twickenham. Their chief executive, Bill Sweeney, has even hinted at the drastic step of relocating Twickenham to cities like Milton Keynes or Birmingham if they are not granted the ability to host more concerts.
During a recent council meeting addressing the RFU’s licensing request, 192 objections were recorded against their plans, while only 13 were in support. Complaints ranged from public drunkenness to adults urinating on private properties, with one resident expressing concern about children having to navigate through unsanitary conditions, stating, "The pavements and roads are unhygienic, and children are having to walk and scoot through dried urine and excrement."
In response to these ongoing issues, the RFU proposed several solutions, including portable toilets in identified problem areas and the presence of law enforcement officers to issue penalties for public offenses. But one innovative approach caught attention: “anti-pee paint.” This unique coating can deter public urination by ensuring that offenders end up “covered in their own urine,” alongside reducing foul smells from the bricks.
However, this method isn't intended to be a standalone solution. The RFU made it clear that they are committed to continuously exploring ways to discourage such behavior. Their current application runs along two tracks: licensing and planning. As it stands, the existing license restricts them to just three non-sporting events annually, with one allowed on any day other than Saturday. This has led locals to fear an unrestricted expansion that might allow the RFU to run rampant with events, prompting backlash against an application to also host up to 36 smaller events, like weddings, lasting until 1:30 a.m.
Despite this opposition, the RFU clarifies that their fight for increased concerts is primarily a planning issue rather than a licensing one. Current planning regulations permit them to conduct three concerts every year without specifying the day of the week. They hoped to eliminate this limitation in their new license application, but Richmond council's recent decision confirms the persistence of this constraint.
This restriction, put in place after a controversial Eminem concert in 2018 that triggered 93 complaints, highlights the complexities the union faces in navigating community relations and desires for growth. By explicitly maintaining this limit, Richmond council has indeed posed a significant challenge to the RFU's ambitions.
Moreover, if the RFU successfully navigates its planning application, it may need to amend the newly acquired license, further complicating matters. It’s worth noting that their planning application faced delays earlier this summer due to Richmond’s demands for an environmental impact assessment concerning transport links and the ability of local networks to manage increased traffic during events.
As Twickenham gears up for four international Tests next month featuring teams like Australia and New Zealand, it remains to be seen how this contentious issue will unfold. But amid these discussions, one thing remains clear: the efforts of the RFU to expand its venue's offerings are fraught with local resistance and community concerns.
So, what do you think? Is the RFU’s pursuit of more concerts justified, or do you side with the residents who fear the changes will bring more chaos than enjoyment? Let’s dive into the conversation in the comments!
