AMATEUR rugby league club Thatto Heath Crusaders are hoping to get the green light shortly to build a new £720,000 home.

St Helens Council's planning committee is expected to give a decision next month on the club's application for the construction of three rugby pitches, an all weather training pitch, and a two-storey clubhouse at land off Close Street, Thatto Heath.

If the plans are passed, Heath's project will be funded by a £590,000 Sport England grant, a further £80,000 Single Regeneration Budget grant and club finances.

Heath first team, who finished seventh in the national conference premier division, currently play at Liverpool St Helens' Moss Lane ground, while many of the junior teams use playing fields across the borough.

Heath spokesperson, Martin Eden, said: "The development would establish the club as one of the top half dozen amateur clubs in the country, will bring all our teams from the age of six to open age together at the one home and give us the chance to generate considerable income.

"It is by no means only about the rugby club - the facilities would be used for community groups and by schools during the daytime."

The application proposes for the main pitch and training pitch to be floodlit. Inside the clubhouse would be a bar, changing rooms, a function room, computers and entertainment facilities.

If planners give the ambitious development the go-ahead work could begin on site in October and, providing winter weather does not hamper the development too much, Heath could be playing there by Spring 2005.