COUNCIL planners have given their approval to a proposal by Winnington Park to extend the clubhouse at their Burrows Hill home.

But vice chairman Terry Jones has told the Guardian he does not expect work to start until next year.

He said: “It’s a step forward to have permission in place.

“What we’ll do next is take stock as to where we are in terms of covering the cost of the build.

“The club has money in the bank, and we’ll be looking at one or two other funding sources to see where that leaves us.

“However I’m still confident we’ll achieve exactly what we’ve set out to do.”

Rugby players have been busy raising money to help pay for improvements that will make girls and women feel more at home.

The summer ball, a sponsored cycle ride from London to Paris, and the inaugural Chester 7s have each swelled the coffers this year.

Jones added: “There are lots more functions in the diary too.”

The extension, once built, includes a separate space for female players and teams to change and shower.

An indoor gym and training area for all of the Northwich club’s members, as well as a first-floor balcony for spectators, also form part of the plan.

Winnington Park Ladies Hockey Club and Weaver Valley Cycling Club now meet at Burrows Hill, which persuaded Park to consider making changes to their facilities.

The balcony, to be open to members between 8am and 9pm, will be smaller than originally proposed – at the request of the council’s environment protection officers – to avoid neighbouring homes being exposed to potential night-time noise.