PLANS have been submitted for a new clubhouse at Wootton Bassett Rugby Club’s new home at Ballards Ash.

The club, which is hoping to move out of its premises in Stoneover Lane in time for their next season at the end of the year, has handed plans to the council for their new clubhouse On Saturday, it hosted its last first team home game at Stoneover Lane, which was sold to Taylor Wimpey, in November.

Vice chairman Jim Brierley said: “We have got the plans that we want put in and we are hopeful that they will be passed and we can move on to the tendering for the building.

“Hopefully everything will be finished later on this year. We will certainly have festivities which will be put in place so we can Christen the place.”

The rugby club, which has more than 500 members, including the junior and mini teams, negotiated a nine-month lease when the land was sold to Taylor Wimpey to remain at Stoneover Lane at a peppercorn rate.

“There has been a consultation process with the club since we instigated the whole procedure about eight or nine years ago,” said Jim. “As part of our initial process when we looked to move up there we had to put a planning permission in for a building. The plans that were submitted are different to the ones we have got planning permission for.

“The size is marginally different but the shape of it is slightly more suitable for our needs. It will be kitted out with the usual club type facilities such as a bar and a kitchen and there will be a shop area in there. We are hoping we will be able to incorporate our gym into the building.”

“We were very much looking for extra space so we could actually incorporate everyone in one place. Currently some train and play down the lane and some train at Ballards Ash. We want to get the whole club under one roof. We haven’t got the space at Stoneover Lane and we have had to find additional space.

“We are an ambitious club and we want to develop our playing strength and this is the next step, on that basis.”

To see the new clubhouse plans visit www.pitchero.com/clubs/ woottonbassett/a/new-clubhouse-25014.html.