A city football club has been given the go-ahead to install floodlights and a new stand.

The ground improvements would allow New Dales Vale FC to move up through the leagues.

The club plays at Archdales Sports Ground in Windermere Drive, near the Blackpole Retail Park.

REQUIREMENTS: The football ground needs improvements so the club can progressREQUIREMENTS: The football ground needs improvements so the club can progress (Image: Worcester City Council)

But it needs to upgrade its facilities to meet minimum league standards and move up from its current position.

Proposals approved by Worcester City Council include a covered stand with room for 100 standing supporters.

New Dales Vale will be installing six 15-metre high retractable floodlights and a ticket box at the south-west corner of the ground.

The club can also now lay down a 900mm-wide hardstanding walkway around three sides of the pitch, along with a 1.1-metre high barrier.

This, along with the ticket box, will help improve security at the ground and bring it in line with Football Association requirements.

BARRIER: A fence will be installed around the pitchBARRIER: A fence will be installed around the pitch (Image: New Dales Vale FC)

One neighbour, writing in support of the application, said: “I live near Archdales and it is great for the community to have a local football team and this ground has been there for many years.

“The lights for just three times a month should be allowed because it’s not going to harm anyone and it keeps the club going through difficult times when it’s hard to get people out of their houses on a cold winter’s night.”

Another said: “The enhancements proposed are not just about improving the infrastructure of the stadium, they are about investing in the future of the community and providing opportunities for our youth to engage in healthy recreational activities.”

Planning officers felt the development would not have any unacceptable impact on neighbouring properties or outdoor amenity spaces - and have imposed a condition that the floodlights cannot be used outside the hours of 8am to 10pm “or when the pitch is not in use”.

The club’s application had initially included plans for a second stand with room for 100 seated fans, but this was removed after it was discovered its proposed location was above a fuel pipeline belonging to Exolum.