A RUGBY club could be on the move - as plans to expand and improve its facilities take shape.

The St Columba and Torpoint Rugby Club currently trains at grounds owned by Cornwall Council behind the leisure centre - but the Council wish to sell the land for commercial development, said club chairman Marcus Matthews.

Plans are now being made for a move to land owned by the Antony Estate which lies further out of town alongside the A374, next to the Trevol Business Park and the Horson Cemetery.

The site, now agricultural, was once used as football pitches when HMS Fisgard was operating as a Naval base, said Mr Matthews.

Plans for a new clubhouse, first drawn up around two years ago, will now be used at the new location, should a future planning application be successful.

At present, the club is in pre-planning discussion with Cornwall Council.

‘We need to increase and improve our facilities because we have a huge youth set up now, which is growing week on week through the season,’ said Mr Matthews.

‘We’ve also had a ladies team for about five years, and there are currently only two changing rooms, so we can’t function properly.’

The new facilities, including a function room and parking for 80 vehicles, will not just be for use by the Rugby Club, says Mr Matthews, but will be a social club for any and all groups in the Torpoint area.

A 40 year lease has been agreed by Cornwall Council with Tremayne Carew-Pole of the Antony Estate and this land will be leased to the Rugby Club, he added.

St Columba and Torpoint RFC now has the task of raising the funds necessary for the new build.

While Cornwall Council has agreed to contribute, the club will have to raise a ‘significant amount’, and will be looking for funding from bodies such as the RFU and the Lottery, said Mr Matthews.

‘One pitch and the clubhouse could cost around £650,000,’ he said.

‘We also have to get all the services to it, gas electricity and waste, and with the access road and the car park, all that is a massive cost.’

However the club sees the move as a ‘big positive’ for themselves and the town, says its chairman.

‘This can only add to the facilities we have in Torpoint. We’ve got the possibility of leasing more land in the area for football pitches. And the youth football club, the guides and scouts are already interested in using the site.’