York City FC has been given the green light to begin building a new 8000-seater stadium which will include wide ranging sports facilities for the local area.

The English League Two side was granted planning permission to begin work on the York Community Stadium following a meeting with the City of York Council Planning Committee.

It’s hoped that the move will not only give the club a new lease of life but will also act as a huge boost to the wider community, with locals set to benefit from facilities including a gym and 25 metre swimming pool.

The football club now hopes to have the ground developed over the next two years and to have it open for business for the beginning of season 2016/2017.

Commenting on the council’s decision, club Chairman Jason McGill admitted that he was overwhelmed by the decision and hoped that the move would be the start of better times for the club-who have played at current ground, Bootham Crescent, since 1932.

He said: “It’s been emotional but ultimately I’m absolutely delighted.”

“It’s been a long process since 2004 and I’m just really pleased that everyone saw the benefits the community stadium will have for the people of York.

“For the football club it means we can plan for the future. We are operating in a decaying stadium at the moment which was built in 1932 and with no opportunity to access commercial opportunities.

“The new stadium will however allow us to do that and give us some financial security because we have a 99 year lease.
“It will be a brand new stadium with new facilities and we’ll be able to extend our community programme through our various partners so it provides so many benefits for us.”

McGill added that time was now of the essence and that everyone at the club had to work in unity with property developers to ensure the build was completed on time.

He said: “What we have to do now is work very closely with the developers, GLL, Wrenbridge Sport and the builders ISG to ensure that they meet our deadlines.

“Knowing me though they won’t be getting an easy ride because we need to ensure we are in the new stadium for the start of the 2016/2017 season.”

Picture attributed to City of York Council