Council planners have given the green light to plans for a "purpose built sports pavilion" at Racing Club Warwick FC.

A planning application for the Townsend Meadow ground was approved by Warwick District Council this week, and will see the portacabin changing rooms demolished to make space for the new facility.

Plans state the new building will provide step free access and be fully accessible for disabled users.

"The proposal involves the removal of the existing temporary changing rooms block and replacement with a purpose-built sports pavilion incorporating changing rooms and education facilities," the application explains

"The existing changing rooms are not accessible for disabled users and do not comply with current sporting bodies safeguarding standards."

The application also states that the new rooms will leave space for a new hedgerow to be grown which would help screen the building and some of the Hampton Road ground.

"The proposals will result in some infilling of an open space that visually helps to relieve the built-up development of sports and recreational uses," the application added. 

"However, the removal of the existing sports changing rooms and the introduction of the native hedgerow screen will substantially mitigate this negative impact. 

"The use of darker colours and brickwork will visually recede the building and the hedgerow will provide a further green screen. Overall the impact is considered to be neutral."

Signing off on the application, a council report said: "By reason of the size, simple design and siting officers do not consider that the development will result in harm to the streetscene, landscape quality or sense of place of St Mary's Land.

"Whilst is recognised that the closest neighbouring building has more architectural interest and a pitched roof, the flat roof design and simple form is considered to help minimise the new buildings visual impact on the surrounding area.

"The additional planting will help to enhance the setting of the new building and neighbouring buildings.

"It is considered reasonable to secure the proposed landscaping and materials via planning condition."

See the plans here.