Update: Sunday 26 November 2023

The new landowners of the 2 pitches fronting Humber Doucy Lane are a consortium of Hopkins Homes, Barratt Homes & David Wilson Homes.

Last week, their representatives met with Ipswich RFC's Mike Hancock (Club Chairman), Henry Gaskin (Vice Chairman) and Chris Gray (Honorary Life member) to discuss various options relating to their land and that of Ipswich RFC's own land holding.

Mike Hancock has issued the following statement.

"Ipswich RFC is now engaged with the land developers to find a solution to mitigate the potential loss of 2 pitches to residential development at Humber Doucy lane.

"Ipswich RFC's firm position is that the club needs to agree a way forward that improves on its existing facilities to include additional playing pitches and training areas, car parking and clubhouse facilities to satisfy existing and future demands made upon the club by its members and the wider community.

"The meeting was positive in that the developers and land agents wish to agree on a partnership approach so that all parties realise a satisfactory outcome. This includes relocation of Ipswich RFC to a new site on a turnkey, ready to play basis.

"This will involve a lot of preparatory work for Ipswich RFC including obtaining professional advice from (amongst others), lawyers, land valuers, architects, quantity and land surveyors, planners, Sport England, The RFU and others to arrive at a plan that can be further discussed with the planners and land agents in approximately 6-8 weeks. Ipswich RFC is looking forward to working with our local business community in this exciting project.

"Once this work has been completed, the Executive Committee will recommend the best route forward for Ipswich RFC and this will be presented to the membership at the earliest opportunity.

"Meanwhile, the 2 pitches in question are to be used and enjoyed by our playing membership. The developers plans do not envisage any work being carried out on these pitches until 2029."

Mike Hancock
Chairman
Ipswich RFC

Update: Wednesday 15 November 2023

As you may know, we do not own the two pitches at the front of Humber Doucy Lane. They are now zoned for housing development.

Today is the last day to have your say on the proposals. Please visit the link below to submit your answers.

Have your say on the development of housing at Humber Doucy Lane

We are not yet sure how this will all affect Ipswich RFC, but we want to keep use of these front two pitches for our youth and juniors. Please do ask questions in the survey and make sure the developers are aware of local concerns.

The survey will take 3 minutes to complete and you can ask what provision will be made for young rugby players.

Thank you.

Club statement: Monday 23 October 2023

There was the following announcement in the local press today:
Our vision for Humber Doucy Lane

This is a statement from joint house building developers, Hopkins Homes and Barratt David Wilson Homes.

Please attend the Public Exhibition next Monday or the online webinar next Tuesday to find out more. Details are below and further information can be found on the developers' website linked above.

Public Exhibition
Date: Monday 30 October
Time: 3pm-7pm
Location: Rushmere St Andrew Village Hall, Humber Doucy Lane, IP4 3PD

Zoom Webinar
Date: Wednesday 1 November
Time: 6pm
Sign up here

With regards to Ipswich RFC

Club officials have engaged in meetings with landowners or their agents, potential developers, local council planning officers and Dr Dan Poulter MP over a period of several years.

The club has also consulted with Sport England and the RFU to prepare itself for the next chapter of Ipswich RFC.

Whilst we would have liked to have received some warning of this press release, that was not forthcoming. Naturally there has been some disquiet amongst some members of Ipswich RFC today.

Rest assured the club is in talks with the developers and a new meeting is being organised within the next few weeks to further discuss the options open to Ipswich RFC.

Once we get a firm proposal we will communicate this to club members.

At the last meeting in June 2023 we were advised of a time scale of 7 years before building reached our boundaries and that the 2 pitches fronting Humber Doucy Lane shown within the development plan would be the last portion to be earmarked for building.

The club is working towards a solution that future-proofs rugby at Ipswich Rugby Club for the next 50 years and beyond.

Mike Hancock
Club Chairman
Monday 23rd October 2023