PLANS for a new spectator stand at a football ground have been approved.

The proposed works, at Lymington Sports Ground, home of Lymington Town Football Club, were unanimously supported at a meeting of the New Forest District Council planning committee.

Lymington and Pennington Town Council applied for planning permission in March, to build an additional spectator stand, rebuild facilities at the back of the existing stand, and install three turnstiles and new fencing.

The purpose of the application is to meet the Football Association and league requirements.

The club was relegated from the Southern League Division One South at the end of last season as it had failed to meet the ground grading requirements for step four.

The restrictions at the ground have been a factor in the club briefly moving to play at New Milton in the past.

The plans are to install a new terraced stand next to the current stand, to hold between 60 and 80 fans.

An additional 35-40 seats will be put into the existing stand, with the total spectator capacity to meet the minimum of 300 for the FA requirements.

A new maintenance store will also be added.

A design and access statement submitted to the council said the works would ‘enable the town to sustain a first team and U23s stadium that is fit for purpose and meets the FA Step 4 ground grading requirements for the foreseeable future.’

The application received seven comments from residents, with one in favour, one against and five neither supporting nor objecting.

Lymington councillor Jacqui England objected to the proposals, saying at the committee meeting that the plans were ‘totally inappropriate’ for the area, and would impact the ‘ambience’ of the conservation area.

Club secretary, Ian Loveless, said: “From the football club’s point of view, this is about enhancing and matching facilities at other local towns and other local football clubs, and just keeping the standard of facilities at a level where we can sustain it for the next 50 years.”

Councillors voted unanimously to grant the scheme, subject to conditions.