Macclesfield Rugby Union Football Club revealed it is set to redevelop its stadium and build 68 residential properties.

The club plans to replace its clubhouse, playing fields and associated facilities, and build 68 dwellings on its land at Priory Park.

The club says its current facilities are outdated and in need of investment.

It plans to modernise the clubhouse and improve the pitches, as the main pitch can only be used once at the weekend so that it can recover in time for the next game.

"David Wilkinson, Commercial Director at Macclesfield Rugby Club, said: "The planned development of Macclesfield rugby club seeks to deliver a more sustainable future for the club, that allows a consistent income stream delivered from new and exciting facilities, which would benefit not just the rugby club but the wider community of Macclesfield.

"Our current facilities are not designed to maximise income and are in desperate need of modernisation, but even then, the layout and design of the club house isn`t functional, with no disabled access, a tiny kitchen and totally inadequate changing facilities.

"We see this proposed development as essential to secure the future of Macclesfield`s most successful sporting club for generations to come, and we`re very aware that this opportunity may never come again."

To secure funding for the redevelopment, the club is looking to sell a plot of land fronting Priory Lane that could be developed by Jones Homes to create 68 houses.

The club is working with independent town planning consultancy firm Emery Planning Partnership on the project.

Earlier this week, DFT reported on how football clubs could help address the housing crisis in the UK.