Click the links below to read the latest letters sent to the Chariman of Hayle RFC.
>> Letter to the Chairman of Hayle RFC - 25th January 2011 (PDF)
>> Letter to the Chairman of Hayle RFC - 18th January 2011 (PDF)
ING RED UK offer to redevelop Hayle Rugby Club on existing site at Memorial Park.
ING RED UK Ltd on Monday 17th January 2011 confirmed that it intended to open negotiations with Hayle Rugby Club with the intention of reaching agreement with the Club and its members to seek to redevelop the existing Rugby Club ground and facilities, which would mean that the Club would be able to remain at Memorial Park, it’s home since 1948.
ING confirmed that it had asked its Planning team to look at the ground plans for the new facility on Carwin Rise and had reached a conclusion that the redevelopment of its existing site with new purpose built facilities for the Club would be a preferable outcome for all concerned.
The redevelopment of the existing site would stop the need for relocation to a countryside location, on what is a potentially difficult site to develop. Staying on at the current site with its history may also prove more attractive to members.
ING believe the facilities which could be developed on the existing site would be of a high very high standard and allow the Club to compete at higher levels in the game.
The redevelopment of the exiting site would also lead to the possibility of a Town Leisure Centre which has been an aspiration of so many in Hayle.This could be carefully built in to the overall redevelopment cost.
ING believe that like many RUFC Clubs around the UK who have opted to stay in their traditional location, Hayle should opt for not taking the dramatic step of relocating to a new site on agricultural land, when much more could be accomplished by a more realistic redevelopment of the existing site.
Out of town retail of the type proposed by Walker Developments is contrary to Government Policy and is generally considered by observers as the most controversial form of retail development. This type of development found support in the 1980s but is now considered to damage the vitality and health of local town centres. In all but a few cases applications are either refused or referred to the Secretary of State for consideration.
ING RED UK National Acquisitions Director Simon Clarke said "There are many successful sporting club models around the UK where the redevelopment of the existing ground can bring substantial revenue to a club, without the heartache of ground relocation".
"Clubs are able to offer superior banqueting and event management which brings in substantial revenue".
"A number of Clubs have been persuaded that the only way forward is to move, but in the case of Hayle this is not the case. Tradition means a lot and surely a new superior clubhouse paid for by less contentious development would be preferable".
"We would like development at the Rugby Club to go ahead –we don’t want to be seen to be in competition with the Rugby Club. The Club and town should have complimentary goals and building a large foodstore to achieve better facilities is not the only route forward", - he added.
ING confirmed it would be contact Cornwall Council this week to explain the detail of its proposals.
The Company is aware that Hayle Rugby has entered into an agreement with Walker Developments, which means that the developer will build a new Clubhouse and two pitches at Carwin Rise, but this is only subject to an out of town Asda Superstore being approved on Rugby Club Ground.