Stockport Rugby Club, Russell Homes table development proposals 

The rugby club intends to sell a parcel of land east of Wallbank Road to the housebuilder to seize upon a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to upgrade existing facilities at the Memorial Ground. 

Stockport Rugby Club and Russell Homes have submitted a hybrid planning application for 90 properties, a 75-bedroom care home, and upgrades to the sports complex, located off Jacksons Edge in Hazel Grove. 

The club would sell the residential parcel – part of which is currently the club’s fourth training pitch – to Russell Homes and reinvest the proceeds to upgrade its 1960s clubhouse, improve and increase the changing facilities, and deliver an all-weather pitch.  

This element of the application is submitted in full, while outline consent is sought for Russell Home’s proposals. 

Ged Gurney, chairman of the rugby club described the submission of a planning application for the project as “an exciting moment”. 

“We need to make these improvements to move the club forward, to provide full inclusivity and benefit the whole community. This plan allows us to implement all the changes we want to make and ensure we can support the future of the club in this, our 100th anniversary year.” 

He added that the residential element of the project is required to pay for the upgrades to the facilities, which will benefit the club’s 662 players and members. 

“This partnership with Russell Homes provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the club and we are grateful for their support.  

“No other funding options are available to us for this project. By selling an underused training pitch – which is often too boggy to use – we can fund an all-weather pitch for use by the club and allow us to open our facilities to local schools and the community.”  

Both the club and Russell Homes have been buoyed by the support they received for the proposals during the consultation period. The housebuilder claims there is an “acute need” for new homes in the area. 

“Our proposal outlines a broad mix of house types and sizes to provide different options for people, including affordable homes,” said Russell Homes associate director Thomas Relph.  

“Our research also found there is a significant need for more elderly residential care provision locally. This is backed up by feedback received from people who welcomed the inclusion of a care home in the plan.”  

Nicol Thomas is the architect behind the scheme and Stantec is the planning consultant.