A PREMIERSHIP rugby club is considering relocating to the Gravesham area, the Messenger can reveal.

The top flight team, which includes a host of England World Cup stars, said it is treating the area as an option in plans to relocate to a brand new stadium. London Wasps, which boasts stars Josh Lewsey, Lawrence Dallaglio, and Paul Sackey among its ranks, hinted at the potential move as part of proposals to find a long-term home.

The Guinness Premiership club plays its home games at Adams Park, the home of Wycombe Wanderers Football Club, in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, but bosses have said they are in talks to build their own purpose-built ground within the next 10 years.

It was initially thought Dartford was being lined up as the club’s potential home, as revealed by our sister paper last month, along with London venues, including Brentford.

But we can reveal bosses at Gravesham Borough Council have also been involved in discussions and a site between the two boroughs could be on the cards.

If the move materialised, it would make the area home to the only top flight rugby team in the county.

David Turner, England Under-16 rugby selector and secretary of Kent School’s Rugby Football Union, is hoping to meet with club representatives to discuss the feasibility of the project.

Cllr David Turner, deputy leader of Gravesham council, said: "We have had internal meetings at the council to discuss the issue and we are looking at what land would be possible. Once we have some clear ideas of what’s feasible the next step is talking in detail to SEEDA (the South East England Development Agency) and if we get their support approach Wasps."

Cllr Turner said a new stadium in Ebbsfleet was unlikely because of insufficient land, but said the land earmarked would be "on the Dartford, Gravesham boundary".

He added: "We desperately need a Premiership team south east of London. It’s going to take a number of years and things aren’t easy, especially in the current climate, but I’m very keen to see if anything can come to this area.

"A move would also create a situation where youngsters in this area would have an easier way to progress. At the moment Saracens (in Watford) is responsible for developing the top young talent in Kent."

Wasps said it could not confirm at this stage when a potential move might take place, nor where any stadium might be built.

What do you think of Wasps’ consideration of Gravesham? Would you like to see the club move to the borough? Email your views to gravesendmessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk or write to 7 High Street, Gravesend, DA11 OBQ.