A RUGBY club’s plan for a new £300,000 facility to replace its aging clubhouse has been given the greenlight.

Mistley Rugby Club’s plans to build a modern new clubhouse have been given the all-clear by Tendring Council bosses.

The club, which is based at Furze Hill Recreation Ground in Shrubland Road, wants to demolish its existing building at the site once the replacement has been put up.

The aim is to share the current village hall parking facilities served by a traffic calmed access road.

The club is in the process of trying to raise cash to fund the scheme and it is hoped works will start within two years.

The new building will be a brick and glass structure and will include changing rooms, toilets and showers on the ground floor with a clubroom, kitchen, bar and toilets at first floor level.

There will also be a viewing balcony facing the pitch and the clubhouse will incorporate a disabled accessible lift as part of the scheme.

A spokesman for the council said: “The replacement of this community building is acceptable.

“The character of the conservation area will be enhanced and there will be little impact on the visual amenity of the area, highway safety or any change to neighbouring amenity.”

Mistley Parish Council supported the proposal and there were no objections received.

One of the conditions is that no floodlighting or other external lighting can be installed until full details have been put forward and agreed.

The site is outside the village settlement boundary and within the countryside. It is also in the Manningtree and Mistley Conservation Area.

Mistley Rugby Club secretary Shelagh Tate said the plans are needed for the future of the club.