Major redevelopment set to spell new chapter for historic ground

The Ospreys are aiming to play their first match at a revamped St Helen's in December. Local democracy reporter Richard Youle reports

- Richard Youle

PLANS to redevelop the historic St Helen's Rugby and Cricket Ground into an 8,000-capacity home for regional rugby side the Ospreys have been revealed.

The plans include a matchday park-and-ride service for supporters, but a proposal to convert the clubhouse into housing has been dropped.

The park-and-ride service would operate from car parks at Swansea University's Singleton Campus, just under a mile to the west, and its Bay Campus, four miles to the east off Fabian Way, near Jersey Marine.

Swansea council planning and highways officers are assessing the Ospreys' detailed application to slightly move the existing pitch used by Swansea RFC in a north-easterly direction towards the city centre, create three new stands, and refurbish and cover the existing stand on the Bryn Road side of the ground.

The pitch would be artificial grass, and there'd be a fan zone at the Gorse Lane side of the ground, plus a staff car park and media compound, additional supporter entrances and toilets, a ticket sales entrance, big screen and new greenery.

The planning application also seeks outline consent for a training barn, gym and changing and medical rooms for coaches and officials which forms the second phase of the redevelopment at the council-owned site.

This building would be at the Gorse Lane end of the ground opposite the Patti Pavilion.

Speaking earlier this month about the application, Ospreys chief executive Lance Bradley said: “It reflects our belief not only in the transformation of St Helen's, but in the strength of our future, rooted in Swansea and powered by our supporters. This is about more than new stands or improved facilities. It’s a statement of intent about who we are, where we belong, and where we're going.”