Essex County Cricket Club (ECCC) has welcomed the government's decision to approve plans for the multi-million pound redevelopment of the Ford County Ground, Chelmsford.

Communities secretary Eric Pickles said the project - called in by the previous Labour administration in 2009 - would generate benefits for both the local economy and community. ECCC is working in partnership with MCD Developments on plans to overhaul the cricketing provision, with a new pavilion, media facilities and an increase in spectator capacity to around 7,500 seats mooted.

Conference suites, a club museum and a club shop are also planned as part of a wider mixed-use scheme, which will also include a public piazza area and 15,000sq ft (1,394sq m) of retail and leisure facilities. An ECCC spokesperson said: "The club and it's development partner MCD are closely studying the full transcript of the inspector's report and the letter from the secretary of state so that they can fully understand all the detailed aspects and conditions of the planning permission."