South Gloucestershire District Council have approved an application for a new rugby and community sports centre on 26 acres of land opposite Frenchay Hospital, subject to a legal agreement relating to confirmation of planning obligations and clearance by central government as the new site is within the green belt.

The relocation will be funded by the sale to Redrow Homes and development of the existing ground at Landseer Avenue, Lockleaze, for housing. An application to South Gloucestershire for 149 dwellings will be considered shortly. The new £8 million privately-funded community sports facility, to be known as Shaftesbury Park, will include a clubhouse with gym, two full size rugby pitches – one of which will be an artificial surface – junior rugby pitches and meadowlands.

Plans drawn up by Bristol-based architects Ferguson Mann also feature a two-court sports hall, weight training room, eight changing rooms and club shop, along with parking for almost 220 cars.

Ray Bowden is a director of the Lockleaze Recreation Ground charity which owns the Landseer Avenue site as well as president of Dings, who, along with Dings Community Sports Club, are tenants of an aging facility which has long outlived its original purpose.

He said: "This is fantastic news and a major step forward for both the charity and Dings Crusaders Rugby Club after so many years of searching.

"We look forward to being a key part of the Frenchay community, but can't get carried away just yet.

"There are still more critical phases to go through, the next being planning permission for our existing site which will fund any move, and then clearance by the Secretary of State.

"It's refreshing that people at last understand what we want to achieve and how, as a charity, we want to contribute to the community and next generation of rugby players, especially during this Rugby World Cup year."

Dings chairman Steve Lloyd said: "It's brilliant news and a massive boost to the club, but there is still a long way to go.

"The players and members will be relieved that we have potentially secured a new site, but also appreciate that this can only happen if the existing site is sold for housing.

"We just hope it all happens and we can start the process of restructuring the club to move forward to focus on our rugby and recruit new players of all experience and ages to boost our on-field aspirations.

"The club has considered many relocation sites over the last decade as its facilities are sub-standard and rapidly coming to the end of their functional use.

"The move will give us state-of-the-art gym and training facilities, along with the resources to attract new players and boost our youth training programmes.

"The new complex will be very much a community resource run by our landlords, Lockleaze Recreation Ground charity, and we will be looking to enhance our relationships with all local educational establishments, only fitting this year with England hosting the Rugby World Cup."

If the application for housing at Lockleaze is successful, it is hoped work on the Frenchay site will begin early next year..

Courtesy: www.bristolpost.co.uk