Blackburn RUFC proposes £100,000 extension to secure its future

Blackburn Rugby Union Football Club wants to improve the premises at its Ramsgreave Drive ground.

The project aims to increase its revenue on matchdays and from to secure the club's financial future.

It includes a much-enhanced main entrance and new first floor viewing area for spectators to watch the side in action in Regional 1 North West.

The club has applied to Blackburn with Darwen Council for planning permission for the extension which is expected to cost in excess of £100,000.

An architect's impression of how the extension would look

A design and access statement submitted with the application said: "The club is located to the north of Ramsgreave Drive and extends to 19 acres, of which 12 acres lies within the borough of Blackburn with Darwen, to which the proposal relates.

"The remaining land is located within Ribble Valley Borough Council.

"The site consists of a main clubhouse, car parking, five rugby pitch facilities with associated hard-standing areas.

"The proposal is driven by the commercial requirement to provide additional space in order to generate income through matches and associated events in order to sustain the club.

"The proposal also seeks to create an upgraded entrance feature to the club and uplift the external aesthetic.

"The proposal provides an infill extension to the existing main entrance point in order to extend the clubhouse space as well as a new feature entrance.

"The existing entrance canopy will be removed and replaced to create a sheltered and level access entrance from the east car park area.

"The projecting element will create a new feature entrance with access either side and visible from the car parks.

The £100,000 development would boost hospitality at the club

"A simple glazing element positioned on the existing building line will provide a new internal space accessed from the main clubhouse area or foyer.

"A new staircase will provide access to a first floor viewing area.

"The external aesthetic will provide a modern addition and feature for the entrance as well as combine the elevations of the clubhouse.

"Pedestrian access will remain as existing as will car parking locations and access off Ramsgreave Drive.

"The site provides sufficient parking space to accommodate the additional space included in the proposal.

"This proposal will provide a positive contribution to the form of the rugby club to create additional function space and access to the building.

"The position of extension will ensure that it provides a positive impact on the clubhouse and has been designed to sensitively reflect and integrate with the existing site as well as the surrounding context.

"It will have a limited visibility from the surrounding areas."