An important redevelopment at Helston Rugby Football Club could bring hundreds of people to the town each year.

The club has lodged an application with Cornwall Council to extend and alter its clubhouse in Clodgey Lane.

The proposal is to provide permanent access to the first-floor area, create a balcony overlooking the pitch and provide an alternative means of escape from the first floor.

In a statement, the club said it aims to create a much needed space to generate sustainable revenues to bring continued success on and off the field for Helston and the community.

“Helston RFC is a well-established community asset, occupying and managing the vitally important 'open space' within our town (King George Playing Fields). Providing a rugby focused sporting facility, training and coaching, together with a safe environment for over 200 local youth players and upwards of 50/60 senior players, is our core aim.

“This in turn, attracts many hundreds more visitors throughout the year from around our county,” the club said.

It added that the club's activities are funded in the main by a volunteer run, commercial premises, which itself is open and used by the full spectrum of Helston’s residents, for club and business meetings, weddings, parties and many other sporting activities.

Extending it could increase the numbers of people using it even further.

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A design statement from 3HW Architecture and Design reads: "The ‘L’ shape of the site and position of the clubhouse to the pitch provide poor views of the matches for those unable to access the pitch directly.

"The current clubhouse was designed and constructed to utilise the roof void as additional space for use by the club at some point in the future. Attic trusses were installed, the floor boarded over and roof windows installed on the rear elevation facing the pitch. However, a permanent means of accessing the large room in the roof was never created.

"The existing ground floor provides changing facilities alongside a function room and bar with associated bar storage, kitchen and toilets. The bringing into use of the first-floor area should have a limited impact on these facilities while providing full, unhindered access.

"The new access to the first floor is to the rear of the building and facing the pitch. Its overall height has been limited to reduce its visibility from Clodgey Lane. Views of the fire escape stair to the south side of the clubhouse are restricted and partly hidden by building and mature trees/planting along the site boundary.

"It is proposed that the new extension is clad in fibre cement boarding, providing a contrast to the existing building, which is a mixture of render and natural stonework. It is also proposed that the west elevation, facing the pitch, will be blue and white stripes to match the club’s colours, and include the club’s logo and name.

"The balcony will be limited in size and occupancy while providing access to the escape stairs in an emergency. It is proposed that the balustrading to the balcony will be stainless steel, with glass infill b panels."