New tennis and judo facilities have been approved for Batchwood Golf & Tennis Centre in St Albans, Hertfordshire, to replace facilities that were devastated in a 2011 arson attack.

As the development is on green belt land, the planning application, which was approved by the council, had to be referred to the secretary of state, Eric Pickles.

He has decided not to call in the application, clearing the way for the council to proceed with the development.

The facility will include six indoor tennis courts - an increase on the four in the previous facility - and a new home for the St Albans Judo Club.

The tennis and judo facilities represent the second stage in the refurbishment of the new facilities, with permission for new golf and lawn bowls granted in October 2012 and the council currently in the process of appointing a contractor to rebuild these.

Insurance money will cover some of the costs of the rebuild but funding is also being sought from Sport England's Iconic Facilities Fund, the Lawn Tennis Association and other sources.

The council will consider a detailed plan for the funding and construction of the tennis and judo facilities this month.