A rugby clubhouse and pitch are to be relocated in order to make way for housing. 

St Ives Rugby Football Club agreed at an extraordinary general meeting the proposals to relocate the current clubhouse and second team pitch, as part of the multi-million pound St Ives Town Deal. 

As a result, the land currently used by the rugby club will be made available for the potential delivery of extra care homes for self-care and independent living, as well as affordable housing for local people, said Cornwall Council.

It also means that the project to reposition and refurbish the rugby club facilities is ready to move forward to the planning application stage.

The proposals hope 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."

It is one of nine projects that should come out of the Town Deal money.

Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for economy said: “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."