A RUGBY club wants to expand to cope with an increasing number of youngsters and women interested in the sport.
Reigate Rugby Football Club is seeking planning permission to build a new 67-space car park and training pitch, while also extending its clubhouse, bar and changing area, all located in Colley Lane.
A design statement by planners Veslar Town and Country Planning, submitted to the council, says the plan will "allow the rugby club to continue to develop and enable the youth of Reigate to participate in sport".
The Minis Rugby team, the club's junior wing which takes children between the ages of 5 and 12, has expanded dramatically to the point where there are now at least 145 children on the books.
This is placing too much pressure on the club's current training pitch and car parking facilities, members claim, and they say the proposed new facilities will help ease the strain.
Mike Jarvis, the club's president, said: "The club has expanded – we have 140 to 150 kids turning up on Sundays. The facilities were designed when the club was running two or three senior teams and it simply can't cope.
"On Sundays, if there's an away team coming to us, the cars will be parked on Colley Lane and that is clearly not good for the neighbours or for the club.
"We want to make it more comfortable for the people who are here and we want to provide really good facilities."
As it stands, more than 100 public comments have been sent to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council supporting the application, many from past players.
The club, founded in 1934, also currently only has changing facilities for men, and so is also seeking permission to expand its clubhouse to provide facilities for women and disabled people.
Mr Jarvis, who played for the club for 25 years, said he anticipated an increased interest in the sport over the new few years, with the 2015 Rugby World Cup being held in England.
He added: "And of course the ladies' rugby team just won the World Cup and Team of the Year at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards. We are working with what's happening within the sport. We want more ladies to join the club and we want to keep building a youth side."
A decision will be made by the council's planning committee members next year.
Residents can comment on the plans until tomorrow (Friday) by going to tinyurl.com/puko66n
