Elmbridge Eagles Rugby Club has been unable to use its Oaken Lane, Claygate site because around 52,000 tonnes of soil were deposited there in excess of the permissions granted.
The material rendered the pitch unusable and was reportedly placed in breach of planning permission, Environment Agency permission, and the council’s freeholder’s consent. Planning permission for pitch improvements was originally granted in 2016, but the amount of imported soil exceeded the permitted limit.
Elmbridge Borough Council says it was not responsible for the problem but spent significant time and resources trying to find a solution. The club also fell into breach of lease obligations over time, including alleged failure to maintain the clubhouse, which the council says has left the building in poor condition.
In December 2025, the council issued a forfeiture notice to the tenants, giving them a reasonable period of about 12 months to remedy the breaches. The council said it remained committed to supporting the club, including helping with funding applications and exploring alternative grounds, and that it met with the club and Rugby League’s governing body to explore other options.
By 15 June 2026, the council said no action had been taken to address the breaches identified in November. It then moved to bring the lease to an orderly close and secure a positive future for the site, while acting fairly and protecting its position. The council wrote to the trustees to offer a formal route to end the lease.
On 2 July 2026, the council confirmed the lease had ended by agreement with the trustees. It said this allows it to begin planning for the site’s long-term future, with a report to Cabinet expected in September on possible leisure-use options.
The Eagles are currently playing at St Mary’s University in Twickenham, though they have expressed a wish to return to Oaken Lane. The council says they, and others who can offer solutions, will be included in future discussions.
Photo by Jiachen Lin on Unsplash
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