Bath Rugby's temporary stands can remain in place for another three years while it draws up plans for a permanent stadium.

Club bosses blamed the pandemic and legal challenges for the delay and reaffirmed their commitment to bring forward a scheme as soon as possible.

Opponents said the "shantytown" stands – which had been set to come down in May – have been in place so long they are now permanent and urged Bath and North East Somerset Council planners not to grant another extension.

The club had requested another four years but was given until May 2025.

Rosie Carne, who lives near the Rec, told planning committee members on March 9: "Twenty years of prevarications and renewals of temporary applications for this shantytown and now they want four more years. Stop being deceived by the rused use of the word temporary, which avoids scrutiny of heritage and conservation bodies.

"A councillor once openly said, 'What Bath Rugby wants, Bath Rugby will get through planning'. Please don't be the planners who continue to deliver this mantra. Restore our lost faith in the planning process."

There have been numerous applications for the temporary stands at the Rec over the last 15 years. Best practice in national legislation says temporary permissions "should not be extended in a way that, by default, makes them appear permanent", and should only be granted in exceptional circumstances.

Objector Martin Farrell added: "The problem is the symbiotic relationship between the planners and Bath Rugby, approving everything Bath Rugby wants, and because successive administrations have been too reluctant to tell Bath Rugby enough is enough.

"The planners are supposed to protect Bath, not spoil it.

"The Lambridge training ground, which unlike the Rec is owned by the club, is the obvious solution to Bath Rugby – temporary or permanent. Other sporting clubs relocate, so why can't Bath Rugby?"

Representing the Friends of the Recreation Ground, Steve Osgood called on the committee to uphold the rule of law and refuse the applications, citing a 2002 High Court ruling on a 1956 conveyance of the Rec.

Tim Burden, Bath Rugby's planning consultant, said: "Bath Rugby's resolve to progress with the Stadium for Bath project remains unchanged. Unfortunately, the delays caused over the past two years and various legal processes have meant it's had to be paused.

"It remains entirely appropriate for a further temporary period to be facilitated to allow for a permanent solution for the future of the recreation ground to be resolved."

Mr Burden said claims about the 1956 conveyance were "simply incorrect", the matter had been closed and Bath Recreational Ltd was fully entitled to lease land at the Rec to generate an income. There are set to be more legal challenges – the Court of Appeal ruled in December that the 1922 covenant on the Rec was unenforceable, but he said in recent days there had been an application to the Supreme Court to overturn that ruling.

The arguments were familiar to Bathwick ward councillor Manda Rigby, who said Bath Rugby had claimed in 2012 that circumstances beyond its control meant it needed an extension.

She said: "We are all very aware of Covid and the impact this has had on all of us, but like the boy who cried wolf, Bath Rugby have claimed exceptional circumstances so often it has become unexceptional. We are really now stretching any definition of temporary."

Committee members said the pandemic was an exceptional circumstance but suggested an extension of just two years.

Planning officer Chris Griggs-Trevarthan argued that four years was a reasonable timescale as it could take 12 months to submit and determine plans for the stadium and then three years to get it built.

His report said allowing the temporary stands to remain in place while those matters are resolved was an appropriate "meanwhile use" for the site in order to provide certainty and continuity.

Councillor Rob Appleyard's proposal to award the four-year extension so the club does not "rush into a makeshift solution" failed. Instead, the committee unanimously voted to grant a three-year extension. The club will be required to submit an updated travel plan.

Welcoming the decision in a statement after the meeting, Bath Rugby said: "We have listened to the committee members and we reaffirm our commitment to bringing forward our plans for a permanent Stadium for Bath as soon as possible."