Plans for a new community football stadium for Leamington Football Club are a step nearer to becoming a reality.

Warwick District Councillors have agreed to move the plans forward to the next stage, which includes applying for planning permission, finalising the design, and creating a draft budget to see if building the stadium is possible.

The Community Stadium plans developed by Leamington FC and the District Council would see the construction of a 4000-capacity football stadium with a 3G artificial pitch, conference facilities, café and community facilities on land adjacent to Europa Way and Gallows Hill.

The proposals would provide a much-needed new home and asset for Leamington FC to expand their football teams and provide a range of classes and educational activities for the local community and schools.

Jim Scott, Leamington Football Club's Chairman, said: "I am delighted that a major step forward has been taken towards the delivery of a new stadium for the club at the heart of the community.

"From a club perspective, the Community Stadium will provide a sustainable future through new opportunities to engage with our supporters and increased accessibility for the community than our current out-of-town location.

"We already do a lot of work within the local area through our charitable arm the 'Brakes Community Foundation'.

"The Community Stadium's enhanced facilities will enable us to greatly build upon our work in delivering benefits to the local community.

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"We look forward to working closely with Warwick District Council to continue to move the project forward and deliver a stadium we can all be proud of, in line with expectations of budget and timing."

The scheme will also offer 85 homes, with 40 per cent affordable, and up to 12 small commercial units to support local employment and provide foot and cycle access links across the district.

The Chief Executive of Warwick District Council, Chris Elliott added: "I'm really pleased to see this project move forward following our cabinet meeting last night.

"A new stadium and sports hub has the potential to be a great asset for the district, providing benefits for the health, fitness and well-being of our residents.

"We realise that there have been questions raised about the timing of this project, and we are now at a significant point where the Council is investing to take the scheme to get planning permission.

"This involves a lot of preparation but will provide the Council and the Club with greater certainty about the cost and the programme."

Elliot added the council is beng "deliberately cautious" given its experience with other major investment projects such as at Abbey Fields in Kenilworth , which has taken five years and is now set to be open in 2026.

However Ellies assured the Council, and the Club "are working together to move this forward as quickly as possible".

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Elliot said: "We will now progress the planning application to seek planning permission, validate cost estimates and ensure we work towards delivering the greatest value for the significant investment in the project, which Councillors will need for the next stage of their decision-making."