PLANNING permission has been granted for improvements to the Winklebury Sports Complex.

This could pave the way for Basingstoke Town Community Football Club to return to the town, who have been playing at Winchester this season.

As previously reported, Winklebury Sports Complex, the home of Hampshire FA, has been earmarked as a potential stop-gap for the club in order to bring the team back into Basingstoke whilst work is started on a like-for-like stadium to replace the Camrose ground.

Kevin White, director of the community club, said he was "delighted" at the news.

Speaking to the Gazette, Kevin added: "It is a massive step forward and also it is a step forward that the people of Winklebury want us on their doorstep.

"We had a really positive meeting with the council and Hampshire FA, they are looking at ways that they can kick-start the development."

Kevin added that discussion are underway between the club, Hampshire FA and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to start development that would allow them to move into the ground for the start of the 2020-21 season.

However, this is complicated because of planning applications currently on the Camrose ground, the club's former home. A section 106 requirement is on the application, which would require Basron, the developers and land owners of the Camrose, to finance a new stadium in the town for the club.

Should this not be decided in time for developments to begin on the ground, the Dragons may have to ground-share at the start of the season whilst they continue.

According to Kevin, "various options" are being looked at.

The plans, approved by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on Friday, include the building of a new clubhouse, a new storage container and turnstiles.

The existing main stand will have another 35 seats, taking the capacity up to 100, whilst a new covered terrace (480 spectators) and an additional covered stand (150 spectators) will be built.

It comes with a number of conditions, such as building and delivery hours, and a number of artificial nest boxes for insects and birds must be installed.

The site is in Winklebury Park, just off Winklebury Way, and is bordered by the Ringway to the east and the railway line to the south, limiting future development on the site.