Friday 15 December 2017 11:27, UK
Bournemouth have been granted unanimous approval by the Borough of Poole Council for a new multi-million pound training complex.
The development of the 57-acre Canford Magna Golf Club site, which the Premier League club acquired earlier this year, is, however, subject to Secretary of State referral.
The Cherries, who are also looking to build a new stadium, have a proposed a phased development which will eventually bring the first team, development squad, academy and pre-academy facilities to one venue.
Bournemouth hope to be able to install 10 full-size pitches, three more specifically dedicated for junior football, an indoor artificial playing surface as well as a state-of-the-art medical and fitness set-up.
"A new training complex will be a huge step forward for the club and we have endeavoured to propose one which is befitting of a Premier League club, while also providing the perfect environment - both sporting and educational - to develop youngsters in the area," Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake said in a statement.
"It was important that we designed a facility that is sympathetic to the green belt site it is located on and we believe this is something the whole region can be proud of."
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe also welcomed the move and backed the new facilities to provide some off-field stability while the club are fighting for survival in the top flight.
"It is huge for us as a football club. It's what we desperately need, I feel, to make sure we leave a legacy from our time in the Premier League.
"We obviously want that to last forever but football is such an unpredictable game but the things that don't change are the things behind the scenes, the infrastructure and the platform you lay for future generations."
