PERMISSION to build a multi-million-pound hockey centre in the city has been given the green light by councillors.

The state-of-the-art hockey facility will be built on land on the Old Porcelain Ground, off Droitwich Road in Worcester, as a permanent home for Worcester Hockey Club.

Worcester City Council's planning committee unanimously backed the plan today (February 20) after months of delays.

The city council had already agreed to loan £2.1 million to cover the cost of building the hockey centre with an opening planned for the end of 2020.

Chris Mitchell, chairman of the planning committee, said he was very happy to be approving something that would benefit the whole of the city.

The land is owned by the city council and would be leased jointly for 30 years to RGS and Worcester Hockey Club with agreements to make sure it is built.

The facilities would be built completely on green belt land which is also part of the city's green network.

Cllr Roger Berry said it was not "traditional green belt" as several "significant" developments had allowed to be built in the area and welcomed the plan.

"It isn't a 'traditional' area of green belt. It is an area on the edge of the city which has been subject to several significant developments.

"It seems appropriate that we should have this sort of facility in this area, in what would be a first for Worcester. It's great to see the hockey club and RGS come together to create a facility for community use."

The plans show two new international standard hockey pitches, two youth football pitches, a single-storey pavilion with changing rooms and a club room.

A 57-space car park would also be provided along with space for two coaches and two minibuses.

The county council's highways department said it was "comfortable" with the parking plans and the number of spaces was "adequate" for daily use.

Nearby bus stops would be improved as part of the facilities and the county council is already working on parking restrictions in Droitwich Road for when the facility opens.

The hockey club has to submit plans on how it would cope with extra traffic during special events and tournaments.

The opening hours would be 8am to 9.30pm on weekdays and 9am to 6.30pm on weekends and Bank Holidays.