A Surrey rugby club could be getting the upgrade of a lifetime with a new sports centre, senior pitching, playing fields as part of a development of nearly 200 homes.
Developers have put forward prospective plans for a major overhaul of land that includes the current Esher Rugby Club.
If approved, the existing rugby club on 369 Molesey Road, Walton-on-Thames would be demolished and around 190 homes could be built on the land.
No concrete plans have been announced, but the developer Ashill Commercial Ltd has submitted a screening request which outlines the potential scheme.
The developer has asked Elmbridge Borough Council whether the scheme needs an Environmental Impact Assessment- this is called ‘screening’- ahead of a planning application.
The 12.4 hectare site is split into three parts: the existing clubhouse, pitch and stands to the south near Maitlands Close; playing fields in the centre and scrubland to the north.
In the northern parts of the site, the outline plans include a whole new sports centre containing rugby club equipment, sports hall provision, parking as well as two senior pitches forming a stadium. Around 750 spectators could be accommodated in new grandstand seating.
The redevelopment could also provide additional community playing fields and landscaped open space. To help fund the scheme, housing would be built on the southern section of the site, delivering about 190 homes.
Planning documents detail homes would mostly be low-rise, up to 2.5 storeys, designed to reflect the surrounding neighbourhood. However, three four-storey apartment blocks are also proposed along the top edge of the housing plot, overlooking the rugby pitches.
Access to the development would be via Molesey Road, with separate entrances for the rugby facilities and the residential area.
But in a statement on Facebook, Esher Rugby Club said it has not approved the developer’s initial publicity. The post read: “This leafletting was done without the prior approval of Esher RFC, whose representatives were only advised of this afterwards.”
The club added it has been looking for 25 years to find better ways of using its land and resources for its own rugby and community use. The statement said: “Esher RFC apologises for any offence of distress caused by the unauthorised action.” It stressed members and the community would be fully involved in consultation once a preferred proposal was agreed by its general committee.
A spokesperson for Ashill Commercial said: “Ashill Commercial has been working up plans with Esher Rugby Club to enhance the facilities at the club. As part of this, we have submitted a scoping report for an Environmental Impact Assessment which precedes and informs the planning process. We felt it was only right to inform the community about this.
“We are at a very early stage and plans will only progress with the support of the club and through consultation with the community.”
People can comment on the scoping application until September 12.
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