Fleetwood Town Football Club (FTFC) has been given the green light to move forward with the development of a new £4m East Stand at the club's Highbury Stadium.

Wyre Borough Council unanimously approved planning consent for the club's proposals, which include the construction of a 2,000-seat stand along the side of the ground bordering Memorial Park. Community changing facilities for park users, IT and learning suites and office space for non-football businesses are also included as part of the scheme, as well as a function lounge, executive boxes, FTFC offices and a shop.

FTFC, which currently competes in the Blue Square North competition, hopes that the development will get underway in April once a contractor is appointed and is designed to meet Football League requirements. FTFC chair Andy Pilley said: "It's a project we have worked tirelessly on. It's been time consuming and expensive. The club has worked very closely with the council. It's not the first time they've seen the plans as we've had pre-planning meetings which have proved fruitful.

"Football is not far from the only task occurring in and around our new stand. We will hopefully have IT and learning facilities, along with offices for 70 or 80 new jobs. Those jobs are in addition to the construction jobs that will be created and match day opportunities for local people." Image: Fleetwood Town Football Club