A scheme to relocate St Ives Rugby clubhouse and its training pitch to provide up to 50 houses, which would be 100 per cent affordable, and 70 extra care units has been described as a “once in a lifetime opportunity to make a meaningful difference for the future of the town”.

Cornwall Council applied to its own planning authority for approval for the development, which would also include access, parking and landscaping on the site of the existing rugby club in Alexandra Road, land which the council owns. The near £3m proposal is part of the St Ives Town Deal funding from central government.

The matter was brought before a meeting of Cornwall Council’s strategic planning committee yesterday (Thursday, December 19) due to concerns raised by the National Landscapes office (formerly the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).

The proposed development is within the National Landscape and as a result the body has objected to both the proposed training pitch and homes, with the council admitting that the “character and nature of the site will inevitably change and there will be some harm”.

However, the planning department recommended approval as officers believed the provision of affordable housing and improved facilities for the rugby club and community outweighed any harm.

Ken Messenger, chairman of St Ives Town Council planning committee, said he had no hesitation in supporting the application. “In my opinion it is a win-win. It ticks all the right boxes and can only be good for the St Ives community. In fact, I think it is the best scheme in the St Ives Town Deal project.

“St Ives, like the rest of Cornwall, is crying out for housing – social and affordable – and this development is excellent and will help secure the future of St Ives Rugby Club. Please pass this scheme for the future of St Ives and the rugby club, and give them a nice Christmas present.”

Ian Sanders, of St Ives Rugby Club, also agreed it represented an “extraordinary opportunity – a true win for everyone concerned” and was a unique chance to unlock land within the town for much-needed housing.

He said: “St Ives Rugby Club has been the heart of this community for over 135 years – we’re a vital social and sporting hub, but our facilities are outdated and no longer meet the needs of our growing membership. We must improve our playing areas, lighting, changing rooms and social spaces. These upgrades will ensure we remain inclusive, accessible and able to serve a diverse range of community groups.

“By securing a new modern facility we can guarantee the next 100 years of St Ives Rugby Club, help address the housing and social care needs in the town and continue fostering strong sporting values and life lessons for our children. This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity… to make a meaningful difference for St Ives Rugby, for our community and the future of our town.”

The meeting heard that under the rules of Town Deal funding, the development needed to be started by March 2026. A planning agent said they were desperate for the committee to approve in order for the scheme to be delivered on time. “It’s tight but it can be done,” he said.

Divisional member Cllr Andrew Mitchell lives a couple of hundred yards down the road from the rugby club and gave it his “unreserved” support despite having reservations over the three years the proposal been discussed. He said all parties had worked hard to overcome objections locally and from national consultees. “There’s one we’ve failed in convincing, but hey ho, such is that.”

He said there was also the boon of elderly residents in the town moving into the extra care accommodation and thus freeing up housing in St Ives for young families. According to the housing register there are currently 468 families waiting for affordable housing in the town, but he thinks the true figure is larger than that.

Like others, he commented that the National Landscapes / area of outstanding natural beauty designation was “strange” as it was allocated in a straight line – “somebody just picked two points and got a ruler”.

Cllr Nick Craker said it was the strongest objection he’d ever seen against an application by National Landscapes. “There are eight pages of reasons why they’re concerned about it – it’s something we need to be careful about.”

He was told by a planning officer that a lot of that was cut and pasted policy. The application was unanimously approved.