Ambitious plans to build an academy for Welsh rugby's stars of the future have been thrown into doubt.

An investigation by the BBC Wales programme Eye on Wales has found that plans by developers and the Welsh Rugby Union have run up against fierce local opposition.

The difficulty has always been shortage of money for the project

WRU statement

The WRU wants to build a National Rugby Academy along with a business park, hotel and 200 houses on a rural site south of the A48 near Bridgend, south Wales.

But the scheme has been dogged by protests with claims that the large-scale development of the site will create problems for the surrounding communities.

The problems over the academy come just days after new WRU Group Chief Executive David Moffett said the game in Wales needed to focus on grassroots rugby.

Protesters claim council tax payers will have to pay for road improvements, and the local comprehensive school says it is already oversubscribed.

Protests

Welsh Assembly Members from all four major parties have added their voices to the protests, ahead of a meeting of Bridgend council on 19 December where the plans will be discussed.

The Bridgend AM Carwyn Jones said: "This part of Bridgend was never intended for housing.

"The housing is being used to fund the rest of the development.

"Frankly, the great fear amongst local people is that the houses will be built and there would be some difficulty with the academy.

"Then there would be an application to change the use of the land and whole site would be covered with houses."

The WRU wants to develop a team to grace the Millennium Stadium

But Bridgend council leader Jeff Jones has reacted angrily to the intervention by AMs.

He said: "We have assembly members so worried about the election next May, they will do anything.

"If you ask the silent majority, they would be in favour of this scheme.

"There's got to be a National Academy of Rugby in Wales somewhere.

"I would like it to be in Bridgend, because if there isn't one built then rugby as a sport in Wales is finished."

Extra money

In a statement, the WRU said it had decided on a mixed use plan for the Island Farm site, including housing, in order to raise extra money from developers.

The statement said: "The WRU has been looking to establish a rugby academy for some years now.

"The difficulty has always been shortage of money for the project.

"In Bridgend, we are fortunate to have found a supportive developer who will build us this centre.

Bridgend AM Carwyn Jones:' Not meant for housing'

"Bridgend is an ideal location for our needs - being central for the mass of the population and with good road links.

"We have the best stadium in the world - if we want to develop the best team in the world to play there, a national rugby academy is an essential element to make that happen."

Welsh Minister for Planning, Environment and Transport, Sue Essex, has already had requests for the assembly to call in the planning application for further inspection.

Eye on Wales is broadcast at 1800 GMT on 4 December and at 1700 GMT on 8 December on BBC Radio Wales.