A WIRRAL rugby club is to get new facilities as part of a major house-building scheme.

Anselmians Rugby Club in Eastham has teamed up with Archway Homes for the project that will see a new clubhouse, community hub, pitches and parking created on land at Malone Field on Eastham Village Road.

The existing clubhouse will make way for 21 new homes, with work expected to begin in a matter of weeks.

Ravi Sibal, chairman of Anselmians, said: "It is important that we engage our youth in physical activity to promote health and well-being and to combat obesity.

"This is a real opportunity to bring the community together in the heart of the village."

The new clubhouse will include changing facilities for both men and women.

It will also include a bar area with terrace overlooking the main pitch and allow a function suite which can accommodate up to 120 guests for weddings and events with a dividing wall so functions can be held on match days.

There will also be a new main and training pitches, plus the provision of two coach parking spaces and 142-car parking spaces to help to solve an on-going village problem.

The community hub, with its own entrance, will be predominantly run by the youth group, although there will be the opportunity for local charities to use the facility.

Archway Homes say prospective purchasers have show keen interest in the properties, with selected homes available to reserve 'off plan' from £269,995.

Samantha Dean, the company's sales manager, said: "Anselmians have been based at their current home in Eastham village since the 1950s but the clubhouse has become tired and outdated.

"Working closely with the club we've created a scheme that provides new homes and first-class community facilities that aim to make Anselmians Wirral's premier sporting facility.

"The needs of the club and the community are at the heart of the project, with the level of funding required determining the number of homes to be built."

Ward councillor Phil Gilchrist said: "A new era of community development is about to start in Eastham.

"Local people have long hoped for a modern community facility.

"Residents of the village have also sought a solution to parking problems in the area and a traffic-calming scheme.

"The local youth hub has also been anxious to secure a new home.

"Co-operation between the long-established rugby club, the council and Archway Homes has put together a project that meets all these hopes and needs.

"All the local councillors look forward to the successful completion of this."