THAMESMEAD Town have been granted planning permission for the £4million redevelopment of their home ground, Bayliss Avenue.

The decision will secure the future of the football club in the community, with the provision of multi-purpose sports facilities, a sports hall and a covered arena which should be ready in time for the 2009-10 season.

Thamesmead director Mark Lee and first-team manager Keith McMahon have worked in partnership with local development agency Trust Thamesmead in order to secure the decision.

McMahon said: “This is fantastic news, not just for the football club but for the community of Thamesmead. We will now have leisure facilities that will provide a focus for the people in the town as well as a stadium that will be good enough for Blue Square football.”

Fans’ representative Stewart Erridge said: “This is exciting news for the club and the town. It will enable us to confidently push for promotion to the Ryman League and also draw in extra support, which is much needed.”

Building work is expected to commence in the autumn and will take nine months to complete.