City rugby club reveals plans for refurbishments

A rugby club that has previously toyed with selling its entire site has revealed it instead plans to revamp its facilities.

Norwich Rugby Club said its 1971 clubhouse at Beeston Hyrne had become difficult to manage cost-effectively and it previously considered relocating to the University of East Anglia.

But the club has since sold a strip of land of less than two acres on the southern side, and acquired 12 acres of land immediately north.

Trustee Mike Srokowski said the club could become a "valued sporting hub within the local community for many years to come".

"These are hugely exciting times," he said.

"Since its founding in 1884, the club has overcome many challenges, not to mention two world wars, a few relocations and Covid.

"However, the redevelopment of our facilities once again set us on the right track for a bright and sustainable future."

Srokowski said project management consultants had been appointed and initial site surveys were under way, with a view to commencing an architectural design within the "next few weeks".

A planning application would be submitted after that and the club hoped the refurbishment work would start before November and would last about 10 months.

The club has 33 acres to play with.

Srokowski said the committee would look at options to ensure rugby continued at Beeston Hyrne during the clubhouse works.

The club's site could be surrounded by 3,500 homes if outline planning permission for the proposed Beeston Park development progresses.

The land the club has sold is for a link road for that development, running between the rugby club and the Redmayne playing fields, used by Norwich School.

Do you have a story suggestion for Norfolk? Contact us below.

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.