TYLDESLEY Rugby Club is set to move after planners voted to allow housing development on the Well Street ground.

And this week club leaders expect to sign a deal with Peel Holdings which will result in a brand new club and playing pitches alongside Astley Street.

On Tuesday Wigan planners approved Peel's application to develop the Well Street ground - Tyldesley's traditional home under both Rugby Union and Northern Union (forerunners of the Rugby League) codes since the last century.

The rugby club already has permission for the Astley Street site which they are buying from Peel with input from the Council.

Planners are insisting that the Hollins Close site access is for emergency vehicles only and no development shall take place on the old rugby ground until the new facilities are up and running.

Club spokesman Howard Hughes said this week: "We are very excited with the implications of this move and all the facilities it will create.

"We look forward to creating a strong base to build on our playing strengths and sponsorship.

"We are hoping to attract big games such as county matches. And the Fijian RU team are looking at using the facilities when the sevens squad comes over for the Manchester Commonwealth Games.

"There will be a 12 months turnaround before we can use the new facilities and bulldozers could be down Well Street by August."

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