Premiership rugby club Bristol Rugby has applied to the local council for planning permission to develop a new training centre.

Although the club is languishing in the league, losing seven games out of seven so far, the hierarchy is keen to boost development off the pitch.

The proposed facility is being mooted for a 23-acre site on Beggar Bush Lane in Failand.

Three grass training pitches and an all-weather 4G floodlit pitch will be the playing surfaces laid for the players. The venue will also include a gymnasium, changing rooms and staff offices.

North Somerset Council will now deliberate over the plans before coming to a conclusion.

Chris Booy, chair of Bristol Rugby, said the facility would complement its “fantastic” Ashton Gate home stadium, and underlines the club’s “ambition to be one of the leading clubs in the country”.

“It’s vital that we have a top-class facility for the squad to train at, not just to drive performance, but also to attract the calibre of players we want at the club,” he added.

“The site is close to Bristol City FC’s existing training ground and will facilitate improved inter-club use of various specialised facilities.”