Swansea City Football Club (SCFC) has been given the green light to develop a new school of excellence and community football facility at the former BSC sports ground in Landore, Swansea.

Situated adjacent to the Swansea Indoor Bowls Stadium, the project will include the development of two full size football pitches and two mini-football pitches, a changing pavilion and the provision of a full size, all-weather pitch. Swansea Council and SCFC are currently in negotiations with officials from the Swansea Senior Football League to relocate the football clubs that currently play on existing pitches at the Landore site, although the new facility will continue to accommodate for local cricket.

The new school of excellence, which is expected to be opened in 2011, could also host the finals of the Swansea Senior Football League when complete. Graham Thomas, Swansea Council's cabinet member for culture, recreation and tourism, said: "This new venture will be hugely beneficial to both Swansea City FC and the community because it would help develop the next generation of home-grown football stars and would allow schools and people of all ages to access top class footballing facilities.

"Talks with clubs who currently use the former BSC Sportsground site are ongoing in order to relocate them to suitable sites, which have been suggested to benefit the clubs themselves, Swansea City FC and the community. SCFC director Gwilym Joseph added: "It's taken a long time to conclude the agreement but it's been worthwhile because it's the first step in achieving a full football academy in Swansea while protecting the present status of a school of excellence and accommodating football in the community."