AN AMBITIOUS multi-million regeneration of the home of rugby in Newport has moved a step closer.

Newport Rugby Club and Newport Gwent Dragons today submitted the planning application for the redevelopment of Rodney Parade to the city council.

A 15,000 capacity stadium, with 13,000 seats, community and commercial facilities are being proposed.

Student accomodation and private homes are included in the development.

It is intended that redevelopment will take place in three stages to enable the rugby teams to continue playing during the 18-month building programme.

Will Godfrey, chairman of Newport RFC, said a team of architects, planners and other specialists had worked for several months to produce an exciting, and financially viable, scheme.

He described it as a 21st century facility for professional rugby in south east Wales, providing both teams with a first class home.

Mr Godfrey added that the regeneration team had liaised closely with Newport city council. He thanked leader Bob Bright, managing director Chris Freegard and planning officers for their support and guidance in the early stages.

Newport Gwent Dragons chairman Martyn Hazell said he was delighted to have reached the stage of submitting the application and looked forward to securing the necessary consents to start work later this year.

"This new stadium will allow us to maximise commercial opportunities on both matchdays and non-matchdays and will provide a great venue for all spectators and we believe it will also attract families to come and watch rugby in comfort.

"I am particularly excited about the inclusion of so many facilities that can be used by our local neighbours and I look forward to developing a much closer relationship with the local community."

Mr Hazell said a further announcement giving more details of the planning application would be made in mid-May.

A much-needed community centre for the Victoria ward and an education suite which could be specifically dedicated for public use are included in the proposals.

Other sporting and commercial facilities will also be open for community use when not required for the rugby such as a gym, a sports injuries clinic, a 500 seat restaurant/function room and a huge indoor training barn which will be almost half the size of a rugby pitch.

A legal notice in the Argus earlier this week included more details of what the application contains including 599 homes and 119 student flats; offices; squash club; members bar and even a convenience store.