Rugby Club plans frozen out

8.57.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 20th Aug 2008

Proposed Site at Paxcroft Roundabout

Trowbridge Rugby Club's plans to come to Hilperton have been put on ice because developers say the proposed development of the Green Lane ground for housing is not currently viable.

This in turn means there's no funding for the construction of the new Rugby Club.

The site is north of Devizes Road at the Paxcroft roundabout.

The planning applications for both sites were approved by West Wilts planning committee on October 25th 2007.

The application was for six pitches, (one full size, one junior, one training and three 'spare'), plus a clubhouse and a 200-space car park.

The planning permission has 30 conditions covering such things as design, landscaping, noise minimisation and affect on wildlife. There's also a requirement to improve the footpath along the main road and to move the bus stop.

Developers say the 'credit crunch', plus the requirement for affordable housing at Green Lane, means they won't proceed. The Rugby Club say that despite the setback they still wish to move to Hilperton, and will look for other sources of funding.