ARDROSSAN Accies have won an appeal to allow flats to be built in their current car park – with the clubhouse moving to a new location.

The rugby club, situated on Sorbie Road in Ardrossan, currently has a clubhouse, two rugby pitches, a cricket field and other grassed areas used for hockey and also by Ardrossan Academy.

The appeal was lodged with the Scottish Government back in March after the proposal was knocked back by North Ayrshire Council.

It has now been accepted with a number of conditions which could see the landscape of the area change completely.

The report from the Scottish Government outlines that the sale of the land, to build the flats, will help to fund the new clubhouse for the rugby club.

Along with the erection of new flats, the plans will see a new clubhouse being built as well as a new car park.

The potential development could see 21 flats with two access points from Sorbie Road and a car park for these new homes.

If the development is to go ahead then it will mean that the current clubhouse will be demolished – but only after a new one is built to the north of the current building.

Currently there is an informal agreement between the school, which is just across the road, and the rugby club for use of the field but this is where the new building would be.

A council report on the initial application stated: “Pupils of Ardrossan Academy have historically had access to the playing fields during school hours and following consultation with both the council’s Educational Services and the applicants, it has been agreed that even though there is no formal agreement in place between both parties, this informal agreement will continue following the proposed new development.” A number of conditions have to be followed for the work to go ahead.

The new clubhouse has to be completely built before the old one is closed and there must be indications of the parking provisions to ensure they are compliant with the council’s Road Development Guide.