Town's threatened rugby club reveals plans for future

Harrogate Rugby Club has been told by property developer Crest Nicholson that it intends to take its ground at Claro Road – where it has been for the past 114 years – to build housing on the site.

The decision follows months of negotiations between the developer and the rugby club, after the 10-year lease on the land, which Crest Nicholson bought in December 1999, expired.

While the rugby club is currently allowed to continue to play under licence there, it has been given no assurances how long that will last.

Now Harrogate Rugby chairman Paul Barnard has arranged two public meetings for supporters of the club.

He said: "It is clear that Crest Nicholson will take vacant possession of Claro Road in the very near future unless we can either agree a licence arrangement with Crest Nicholson or increase our current offer to purchase the site.

"We are holding the meetings to update members and friends of the club regarding the current situation."

Since the announcement by Crest Nicholson, nearly 2,000 people have joined a Facebook campaign called Save Harrogate Rugby.

Cabinet member for planning at Harrogate Council Coun Don Mackenzie, who has previously warned Crest Nicholson that the site is earmarked for sport facilities, not housing, said: "This is very welcome news and a big step in the right direction.

"The club are very happy where they are and we hope they will soon be able to continue what they have been doing for many years and that is playing rugby."

The meetings, which are an open forum, take place tonight and tomorrow at Claro Road at 7.30pm.

Chief executive of Crest Nicholson Stephen Stone said: "Since agreeing to purchase the land we acted in good faith and have always honoured our obligations to the club and, since it became obvious that their original aspirations were unachievable, we have done our best to find an alternative.

"The site's future use has not yet been decided and we remain receptive to any proposals which local people or the local council may wish to make."