The club has seen huge success on the pitch but some people are not happy
The club has seen huge success on the pitch but some people are not happy
A Merseyside rugby club seeing success on the pitch has urged a council to approve plans as current losses “mean that the club is not sustainable”. Caldy Rugby Club is going up against neighbours who claim they’re suffering from “significant nuisance”.
Caldy Sports Club have asked Wirral Council for permission to demolish their existing clubhouse, and in its place build a new larger one. This includes a community hub, remodel the existing car park, as well as create new groundsman buildings, a tractor store, and a building for bikes. The club on Telegraph Road has been there since 1925 and has seen greater success in recent years on the pitch.
However, if the plans are not approved, the club is arguing this could put its future in jeopardy. Despite strong support, the plans have been brought before Wirral councillors at a planning meeting on February 5 because of opposition from some in the area.
In planning application documents, the club said the current building “is no longer fit for purpose” and “structurally inadequate”. Due to its age and construction, the club said it was also “highly unsustainable”.
The new clubhouse would address these issues and ensure the building is accessible to all, adding it was “a package of measures needed to sustain thesports club in the medium to long term”. Steps have also been made to fit the development better within its green belt location with the club arguing it is “a discrete, contemporary replacement”.
A planning statement said: “There are at present limited opportunities to generate income. Ongoing financial losses, year on year, mean that the club is not sustainable based on its existing sports and recreational facilities. The larger match day and community space provides the opportunity to generate income and support the sports club.
“There is a need now to provide new facilities given that rugby is played in the Championship which is the second national tier of English Rugby Union.
“This resonates with the outcome of the Wirral Borough Council Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Strategy which recognises the need for improvement and development at Caldy Sports Club in order that its role in the provision of sport and recreational facilities is sustained.
“The match day and community space within the club house is vital for match, club and community events. It replaces the marquees which are presently used on a seasonal basis. The use of this space will generate the essential income to sustain the club into the future.”
The plans have come before councillors due to a number of people opposing the application. However 94% of people who wrote to the council supported the plans.
They said the new club house is a “big improvement” which is “modern yet sympathetic”. Other comments argue “a more appealing clubhouse will help the Wirral economy, by encouraging visitors to stay in the area after matches.”
However West Kirby councillors Jeff Green and Simon Mountney have raised concerns. Cllr Green said he had no objection to the club remodelling its existing clubhouse but a new building could be at odds with the site’s green belt location.
Others objecting worry the development would set a precedent to build across the entire area, accusing the club of a “planning by stealth” approach and being “disingenuous” about the community hub plans. It is also argued the plans would increase traffic and noise.
One comment said: “The site is already dangerous, with the area being an ‘amber road’ for road traffic collisions. These plans will inevitably increase thetraffic flow thus increasing the risk.” Another said the club “already causes significant nuisance”.
The rugby club was successful in extending its licensing hours in January 2023 in effort to support the club. However there was fierce opposition from those living nearby and one neighbour said she had seen people “staggering drunk and yelling at the top of their voices” late at night.
