MALVERN Town Football Club got a major boost this week with the approval of plans for developments at its home ground.

Planners at Malvern Hills District Council voted unanimously on Wednesday evening to approve the club's application for the improvements at the HDanywhere Stadium in Langland Avenue.

The scheme includes a new artificial pitch, replacement floodlights and an extension to the clubhouse to provide extra changing rooms.

Club chairman Chris Pinder welcomed the decision, saying: "The approval is another hurdle jumped in the race to deliver our new stadium as promised in 2020.

"This is an in-town stadium for the whole community to enjoy and be proud of, a venue for memories to be created for years to come. Girls and boys, men and ladies, veterans, the less able and so on - this stadium will be for all.

"I want to thank the planning committee for supporting this important community facility."

The club's plans for the future include expanding the number of junior, girls and women’s teams, training new and higher-level coaches and attracting better players to the first team.

The permission, together with the granting of a new 25-year leased on the stadium, opens the way to the club securing £1 million in funding which will help pay for the improved facilities.

Some £700,000 of grant funding from the Football Foundation is now available, and the club sill also apply to the district council for another £250,000 linked to planning agreements, known as section 106 money.

The club will also raise £50,000 towards the project and the council will help with the design and build of the changing facilities revamp.

At Wednesday evening's meeting, Pickersleigh ward councillor Val Myatt, moving approval of the plan, said: "I'm very pleased to see this. The club has made good progress over the last few years, and it looks a much better place than it did."

Fellow ward councillor Caroline Bovey seconded it, saying: "It is a marvellous opportunity, not only for the club, but for local residents."