A NEW rugby and community sports centre will be built in Frenchay after democracy won over legislation.

South Gloucestershire Council planning officers had said the £8million plan to relocate the Dings Crusaders Rugby Club from Lockleaze to Frenchay Park Road should be refused because the site is within the Green Belt. However, at a crunch meeting on Thursday (September 24), rugby club bosses persuaded councillors that the benefit of building a new clubhouse and gym, two full size rugby pitches and junior pitches would outweigh any harm to the countryside.

Ray Bowden, director of Lockleaze Recreation Ground charity which acts as landlords to the rugby club, said approval followed a long search to find a new home.

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

Lockleaze Recreation Ground charity has considered many relocation sites over the last decade as its current facilities are sub-standard and rapidly coming to the end of their functional use. The relocation will be funded by the pending sale and development of its existing ground at Landseer Avenue, Lockleaze to Redrow Homes for housing.

Steve Lloyd, chairman of Dings Crusaders RFC, said: "This is 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 council’s development control (west) committee gave the go ahead to the application subject to a referral to the Secretary of State for final approval.

Cllr Keith Cranney (Con, Stoke Gifford) said: “It was going to mean the destruction of a very good and historic club.

“This seemed a natural place and I couldn’t see an issue with it. Democracy was done.”

The club hopes to start work on the new site early next year with facilities opening in autumn 2017.