A football club’s dream of getting a new pavilion has taken a “real step forward”.

Sevenoaks Town FC wants to build a new clubhouse, covered stands and changing rooms at their Greatness Park home.

The Isthmian South East club has now been allocated £787,500 in Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding from Sevenoaks council to help realise that dream.

It will go towards the construction of a new community pavilion next to the current 3G pitch at the ground.

In addition, Sevenoaks Town Council has committed a further £87,500 of match funding, which now brings the total project funding to £1m.

The land and buildings are owned by Sevenoaks Town Council but are let to the football club, which manages the facilities, at a peppercorn rent.

Planning permission has already been granted for the environmentally-friendly scheme which is projected to cost £1.5m in total and incorporates a green roof and living wall.

Club chairman Paul Lansdale said: "This is fantastic news and provides a real step forward in our aim to build a new clubhouse which will benefit the entire football community at Sevenoaks Town FC with the provision of new changing rooms, kitchen and refreshment areas, other facilities and a new 300-seater main stand.”

The award is the culmination of a two-stage vetting process which saw the project praised for its potential to “provide significant public benefit, representing good value for money and demonstrating appropriate use of CIL funds”.

The Mayor of Sevenoaks, Cllr Claire Shea said: “The new pavilion at Greatness Park has been a long-term ambition of Sevenoaks Town Council and is included in our Neighbourhood Development Plan.

“We will now fight together to secure the final bit of funding needed. “

Cllr Simon Reay, the district’s cabinet member for development and conservation, said: “I am delighted we are able to support so many deserving and much needed projects across our district.

“The money will help bring forward projects that improve our health, well-being and environment, assisting the District in tackling climate change.”