A proposal to build a £1m (US$1.4m, €1.2m) sports facility at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium has been accepted by the local council.

The League One high-flyer’s Community Trust (BACT) is behind the project to create the hub with an artificial pitch with changing rooms to be used by the people of the town.

East Staffordshire Borough Council have given the green light to the plans and the project has secured £843,510 (US$1.2m, €1m) of its total budget via the Premier League and Football Association (FA) Facilities Fund.

According to BACT head of community Andy Taylor, the club has been working on the project with the FA, Premier League and Football Foundation for more than a year. The remainder of the finance is due to come from the council and partnerships with local businesses.

“We are now concentrating on securing the remaining funding by getting more partners on board,” said Taylor. “If all goes to plan, the facility could be up and running by September.”

Burton Albion chair Ben Robinson added: “The football club’s focus has always been on the community and this facility will be a great asset for the people of Burton.”

The clubs is second in League One with six games to go, with a reasonable chance of being promoted to the Championship – it’s highest-ever level.