WORCESTER City have been given the green light to take their first step towards a state-of-the-art soccer stadium.

Members of the city council's planning committee discussed the informal application for a new ground with enabling development at a meeting yesterday.

The club want to move to a new stadium in Nunnery Way, with a B&Q DIY store on the site to pay for the development.

And, after a two-hour debate, councillors agreed to pass the motion in principle - with 11 in favour and two abstentions - subject to the submission of satisfactory planning applications.

But the planning committee are still free to reject the bid when more detailed plans for the development are formally presented.

Coun David Barlow said City's St George's Lane ground was outdated and prone to traffic congestion.

"I'm happy to support this scheme in principle. The mood of the city is for the move and the time is right to support it," he said.

Regulations such as a retail impact study and traffic impact study still have to be satisfied for plans to be accepted. But, even if those formal planning proposals were given the green light, approval would ultimately rest with the Secretary of State.

Coun Robert Rowden emphasised that all members were in favour of supporting the football club.

"I'm very enthusiastic about the move. I'd like to see it happen if all the conditions are right," he said.

Worcester solicitor David Hallmark was given three minutes to address councillors, outlining the key factors of the proposed move.

The vote means the way is open for a thorough investigation of the site and to allow interested parties to research the potential of the area.

"The football club's move to Nunnery Way has always been the priority - it's sacrosanct as the main part of the proposal," committee chairman Derek Prodger said after the meeting.

"B&Q may be the enabling development which facilitates this move, but there will never be a situation where the B&Q development will be built alone. The message is no football ground, no B&Q."