MEMBERS of the public are being invited to attend a public consultation display as a new multi-million pound home for a rugby club moves closer.

Dings Crusaders Rugby Club are hoping to make the move to a new ground with improved sports facilities on the site opposite the former Frenchay hospital site.

The proposals were first announced by Lockleaze Recreation Ground, a registered charity, in June, this year as a replacement for their current ground was desperately needed.

The facilities available at the new sports centre will also be on offer for use by other community groups and organisations in the area.

Members of the Lockleaze Recreation Ground Board and their project design team will be on-hand at the consultation to answer questions about the site.

The consultation will be held at Frenchay Village Hall between 10am and 6pm on Saturday, October 4.

Ray Bowden, president of Lockleaze Recreation Ground: “This is an important part of the planning process as it gives the community the opportunity to discuss the proposals with us and our professional design team.

“So far we have had over twenty meetings with a wide range of parties including the immediate neighbours, Frenchay Residents Association and other local organisations, and statutory consultees.

“We are now encapsulating the feedback into a table to demonstrate how we have taken onboard comments received to get to this latest design. We will be highlighting this at the display so that people can understand the issues and process.

“The plans are still evolving and we urge everybody to make the most of this opportunity to discuss the plans with us.”

The charity, which owns the rugby club’s existing site in Landseer Avenue, Lockleaze, has signed an option to relocate subject to planning permission.

It is proposed to build a new clubhouse with indoor sports hall, car parking, three senior (one of which will be all-weather) and three junior rugby pitches.

Proposals will be submitted for planning later this year.