Houses could be built on greenbelt land close to rugby pitches should new preservation laws be given the thumbs up.

If approved by club members and Elmbridge Council, the building of 88 rumoured homes in backfields of Esher Rugby Club could be a thing of the future.

It is claimed another option is building on a current rugby pitch and creating more Astroturf pitches.

Plans for a vision of Esher were presented to 200 rugby club members at an annual general meeting by chairman John Inverdale.

The club, which has been running for more than 90 years, already has planning permission for a new 2,000 seater stand. Houses on the greenbelt could go some way towards funding this.

Councillor Christine Elmer, for Walton South, said: "I did ask them [the club] does this [the plans] include resident housing and they did not respond to that.

"Residents round here are concerned if houses were to be built on that land. They've always felt that that land would be better used for sports use."

A review of Elmbridge's Local Plan could lead to land protected from redevelopment having its protection relaxed, but on the other hand it could also mean the protection could be made stronger – that is if the review finds the council is already fulfilling its housing need.

The club has not confirmed any potential housing plans.

Ross Howard, president at Esher Rugby Club, said: "I am enormously excited about a vision for Esher that will enable the mini and junior sections to thrive like never before, and the senior teams to compete to the best of their ability."