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A new 5,000-seater wooden stadium has been approved for Forest Green Rovers football club.

Stroud District Council's development control committee backed the eco-stadium for the club last night after previously refusing the arena earlier this year.

The decision means the league two side will move out of its home at The New Lawn, in Nailsworth, to Eastington next to J13 of the M5.

Fears over noise and the economic impact caused by moving out of Nailsworth were raised by parish and district councillors.

(Image: FGR)

Forest Green’s current ground is powered by renewable energy, recycles rain water and serves vegan food to players, staff and fans.

Dale Vince, chairman of Forest Green Rovers, said he was "really pleased' the proposal went through, adding he will mull over whether to drop a scheduled appeal in February for the plans.

Mr Vince also said more work is to be done after gaining outline planning permission on Wednesday evening (December 18), but said if spades were in the ground tomorrow "we could open in three years".

He hopes it will be "the world's greenest stadium", designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, and would allow his team to aim for promotion, and said it would bring employment and investment opportunities to Stroud.

'It's the right decision'

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Vince said: "I feel pleased about that. I think it's the right decision and I'm glad it was made. Obviously it was our second attempt and it could have gone either way. "

Stroud District Councillor Haydn Jones (C, Berkeley Vale), who voted against planning permission, said: "Not exactly disappointed. It was a fine balance. With planning you are always judging harm versus benefits, and there is no doubt this stadium will bring some benefits. It's an iconic design.

"But I am concerned about the impact it would have on not only on Nailsworth, where they'll be leaving, but also in Eastington and West End. I am concerned their lives will be negatively impacted.

"They moved there when the football stadium wasn't, so I am concerned how it will have an affect on them."

Councillors on the committee voted in favour of the new development, with six for and four against.

Gloucestershire Live ran a live blog throughout the meeting. You can see the updates from the meeting here.

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