Premiership Rugby side Harlequins is planning to build a 25,000-capacity stadium on the site of Twickenham Stoop in an "ambitious project" expected to cost around £50M ($66.7M), according to Alex Lowe of the LONDON TIMES. The existing 14,800-seat stadium has been operating at 98% capacity in recent years and the club's vision is to "develop a new multi-sport facility, with strong consideration being given to an artificial pitch to ensure that it can be used all year." Final facilities will be determined during a six-month consultation period, starting in January, "with local residents and businesses invited to offer ideas before the club submits a planning proposal" to Richmond Council. The club will consider building a hotel, and "could also develop facilities on site for Richmond upon Thames school," with which it is affiliated. Harlequins is "likely" to play its matches at Twickenham Stadium, subject to approval from the Rugby Football Union, "while construction work is under way, although that will not happen next season" (LONDON TIMES, 11/24).
