WORK on a £1 million revamp of the home of Malvern Town FC could start in February.

Last week, the Malvern Gazette reported that proposals to transform the HDanywhere Stadium off Langland Road have been given the green light by councillors.

If the work begins in February, it is hoped it will be completed in time for the new season in September 2019.

The plans include installing a modern artificial pitch, upgrading changing facilities to FA standards and improving the floodlighting.

Malvern Hills District Council and the club have been working jointly on the project, which, it is hopes, will lead to the expansion of the number of junior, girls and women’s teams, the training of more higher-level coaches and the improvement of the first team so it can compete at a higher level.

Off the pitch, it is also hoped the new agreement will allow the club to build on its range of community projects such as providing diversionary activities for young people at risk of low level anti-social behaviour, family fun days and holiday sport camps.

The project will be funded through applications for £700,000 from the Football Foundation and £300,000 of S106 money linked to planning agreements. The club has committed itself to raising £50,000 towards the scheme.

Cllr Paul Cumming, responsible for finance on the district council, said: “This is an important milestone for this project which will have numerous benefits for the whole community, including encouraging greater participation in grassroots sport in-line with our commitment to helping our residents be more active.”

Chris Pinder, chairman of Malvern Town FC, said: “I’m grateful to the planning committee for supporting this project which will create a stadium the whole community can enjoy and be proud of.”