Filmmaker Ken Loach has strongly criticised plans for a new rugby stadium in Bath, claiming it could threaten the city's World Heritage status.

The famed director said plans for a new 18,000 capacity venue on the Recreation Ground would be a 'carbuncle' - citing a famous quote from King Charles.

The Premiership club is seeking planning permission for a huge redevelopment that includes demolitions, refurbishment and extension to the South Stand, and the building of new permanent North, East and West Stands.

More than 5,000 comments have so far been received on the application that will is still being considered by planners from Bath and North East Somerset Council.

And among its fiercest critics was Mr Loach, 88, whose films include Kes and I, Daniel Blake, who has lived in the city for 40 years.

Ken said: "It is ill-conceived, inappropriate, and would cause great harm to the conservation area, the iconic views, and the outstanding universal values of this world heritage site.

"The building of a large modern sports stadium in the heart of the Georgian city is simply absurd.

"The visual context for the city has long been cherished. The view of the green hills from the Abbey and Orange Grove with the delicate Pulteney Bridge on the left and the handsome North Parade to the right, will be broken by the unavoidable presence of a large modern sports arena.

"It is hard to think of a more visually destructive proposal than this. It is no wonder that UNESCO has made its opposition to this project clear.”

"The status of Bath as a World Heritage site would be under threat. When judging the architectural merits of this application, planners have a duty to give great weight to this authoritative UNESCO judgement.”

In December, Bath Rugby made changes to earlier plans which it said would help preserve the “unique character” of the central Bath location.

This included lowering the heights of the west and east stands and introducing a curved roof in order to allow more views of the city and the surrounding hills.

At the time chief executive of Bath Rugby, Tarqiun McDonald, said they had listened closely to the community but the current set-up sees them spend about a million pounds a year having to disassemble and reassemble a temporary stand when they are not playing.

But the revised plans did not satisy Mr Loach's concerns.

Ken added: "If Bath Rugby were to fail, who would benefit from the remainder of the lease? What might then be built to replace what will then be an outdated stadium?”

"To quote the then Prince Charles, when speaking of another misjudged proposal, this grossly inappropriate sports arena would be like a “carbuncle on the face of an old friend”. If by some terrible error this proposed building were to be built, it would be the biggest carbuncle Bath has yet suffered."

A final decision on the proposed redevelopment is expected to be made by Bath and North East Somerset Council in September, following further reviews and deliberations.