It is without doubt a major breakthrough. Now we can go ahead with our application for Sports Lottery funding.
We hope this will provide the club and the town with a sports facility which will be of major benefit to rugby players, football players .... and any other sports which ourselves and the Sixth Form College feel can be accommodated.
The Planning Committe gave its approval after a site visit to Brinkburn. Coun Stan Kaiser moved that approval be given and was seconded by Coun Moss Boddy.
It was carried by seven votes to three with Coun Harry Clouth objecting on the grounds that it might have an adverse effect on other clubs in the town. Coun John Marshall was concerned that traffic congestion may be a problem .... even though peak times would be on a weekend when local schools were closed. He also felt that West should seek to merge with another club rather than develop Brinkburn.
Now the club has to work up detailed plans for the proposed new club and begin serious talks with Sport England over lottery funding.
Club Chairman Ron Greig said: "This is a very important decision because without it we would have had to go back to the drawing board.
"Everyone involved with the club feels we can have a bright future at Brinkburn to the benefit of everyone including the Sixth Form College.
"Now the hard work really begins."