ST IVES Rugby Football club have agreed to relocate their clubhouse and second team pitch to allow extra care homes to be built in the town.

The scheme is one of nine projects to be delivered as part of the multi-million pound St Ives Town Deal.

Members of St Ives RFC agreed to the proposal at a recent EGM.

The land currently used by the rugby club is now available for the potential delivery of much needed extra care homes, which incorporate design features and support services to enable self-care and independent living, and affordable housing for local people.

It also means the project to reposition and refurbish the rugby club facilities is ready to move forward to the planning application stage. The proposals seek to create a modern clubhouse facility with two full-size sports pitches for use by the club and the local community.

The current indicative plans will now be developed into a hybrid planning application aimed at securing detailed consent for the new sports facilities, and an outline consent for the housing on the released land.  

Russell Baragwanath, chairman of St Ives RFC said: "The rugby club is delighted that our members supported this exciting proposal, which will see updated sports facilities for the club and much needed housing for the town.”

Gareth Jones, vice-chair of St Ives Town Deal Board, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this exciting project to provide much needed local housing and extra care facilities in St Ives, as well as delivering new high-quality sports facilities for the local community.

“This is an important milestone for the project, and we look forward to working with partners to take it to the next stage.”

Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for economy said: “It is great news that the rugby club is supporting the proposal which means that we can move into the planning phase.

“This project aims to be a game changer for St Ives. The funding from the Town Deal will help to make best use of the current site for the benefit of the wider community.

“We look forward to continuing working with the rugby club and the Town Deal board and we are determined to help provide facilities and homes to benefit St Ives residents of all ages.”