Yate Town Football Club have revealed ambitious plans to put the club at the heart of the community.

Chairman Colin Pick says the proposals, which include a new multi-function community building, a multi-use sports pitch and a revamped car park have been 'a long time coming'.

As part of the plans, the facilities will be run by ‘Bluebells Community Interest Company’.

The new charity is aiming to improve the health and wellbeing opportunities for young people and the local community by providing accessible outdoor facilities.

The sports pitch and outdoor elements of the proposals are dependent on funding, which the club hopes they can secure through contributions from developers Redrow Homes, who have submitted an application to build houses on land near the club.

Colin Pick, chairman of Yate Town Football Club said: “These proposals have been a long time in coming and we’re very excited about them.

"Our plans include a new community clubhouse, sports bar, gym and function rooms which can be used for a range of different activities.

"A new multi-use all weather floodlit sports pitch will also allow us to run development and outreach activities with our new Bluebells Community Team.

“We’ve also looked at updating our car parking for the site, which will also be a significant benefit for us.

“With these new facilities at the club we’d be able to play a much larger role in the local community, youth development and health and wellbeing.”

The proposals are still at an early stage and the club is keen to secure additional funding from what is known as a section 106 contribution, which would be provided from the development of new homes on land adjacent to the football club.

The application for 118 new homes (including 42 new affordable homes) has been submitted by Redrow Homes and is due to be considered by South Gloucestershire Council on January 25.

He went on to say: “The Redrow plans could represent a significant opportunity for the club to secure the funding it needs to help realise these new plans.

“We’re hopeful that Redrow will be given the go ahead by the council next week, so we can look at bidding for the funding generated from the council for certain elements of our proposals.”

Redrow’s proposed scheme also includes upgrading the football club’s floodlighting to LEDs, which would significantly lower costs for the club as well as extensive boundary works including the removal of trees and installation of new fencing and a wall.

Lee Hawker, Redrow Homes’ managing director, said: “The plans for the new Bluebells community facilities at the football club would be a significant benefit to the local community in Yate.

“We’re pleased to be able to support the football club in its aspirations for this new development through the contributions generated by the development of our proposals.”