PUBLIC land in Horspath could be handed over to two sports team in the new year.

The open space at Horspath Recreation Ground could be leased to Oxford City Athletics Club - which already runs sessions at the track on the site - and Oxford Harlequins Rugby Club.

Both leases would last for 30 years.

The rugby club is considering moving to Horspath from its current Marston Ferry Road base.

Quins have been in discussions with the RFU and Oxford City Council over how to grow the club in the future and has proposed to build a 3G artificial pitch on the Horspath Recreation Ground site.

The RFU announced plans to invest in 100 floodlit artificial pitches in December 2015 and earlier this year Quins expressed an interest in having one in Oxford.

A primary review identified Quins as the club of choice for Oxfordshire and discussions over funding are continuing but the club remained positive.

According to the club the pitch would be a community asset and would be used to promote the growth of the sport in the community.

The athletics club already run coaching sessions at the track on the site and the sports pitches around it are available to be hired by schools, clubs and local groups.

A plan showing the areas to be disposed of can be seen at the council offices in St Aldate's Chambers during normal office hours.

Residents can have their say on the planned disposal of the land from public use until Monday, January 8 by emailing democraticservices@oxford.gov.uk