Work has started on a community clubhouse and home for Dartford Valley Rugby Club.

Construction began with a ground-breaking ceremony on land at Stone Lodge.

When it is finished, the new facility will provide a sports and leisure club for the people living in the area.

And it will give a permanent home to the club’s league teams.

It is being built by Kent-based contractor BBS Construction Ltd and staff joined representatives from the club and Dartford council to celebrate the start of the project.

The scheme will deliver a new 800 sq m community clubhouse, flood-lit 3G rugby pitch and a second grass pitch.

The clubhouse will have a car park and fully-landscaped environment.

It has been been designed to serve the growing community around Stone Lodge as well as provide sporting opportunities for pupils at the new secondary school opening nearby.

Cllr Jeremy Kite (Con), leader of Dartford council, said: “The investment into the new clubhouse is part of the council’s long-term commitment to improving leisure facilities in Dartford.

“Our previous investments in places like Fairfield, Princes Park and Dartford Cricket Club have seen a huge up-take in participation.

“I think the role these facilities can play for the rest of the community are also now being fully appreciated.

“People and local organisations adopt them as the places for celebrations, parties and meetings and they can become the heart of a community. I think rugby has the potential to involve and engage huge numbers of families and I’m very proud to be bringing that to the heart of the Stone community.”

Peter Timon, Dartford Valley Club chairman, said: “Rugby is about family and community but it’s also about discipline, respect and teamwork.

“Working in partnership with Dartford council has meant that the dream of a ‘home of our own’ is now coming true.”