Stoke get permission for new training complex

Stoke City have been given planning permission to build a new £5m training complex on their current site at the Michelin.

The club have trained at Trent Vale since leaving their old training facilities at the Victoria Ground in 1997 and have been using the playing fields at the Michelin's Sports Club. This has posed problems with the FA in recent years who have threatened to withdraw their Academy status unless the club provides better, permanent facilities.

They agreed with the Michelin last year to purchase part of their playing facilities on condition that they got planning permission to build a training complex. That permission was granted last night by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council subject to the government not wanting to review it further since the club are planning to build on 'green belt' land.

All being well, the club intend to start building in the summer and can replace the current temporary buildings that they've been using for the last couple of years which will, hopefully, help to recruit better quality players at all levels.

The news is not so good on the windbreak that the club had proposed to build between the West Stand and the Boothen End up at the Brit.

Stoke-on-Trent council have refused permission as they did not like the idea of it being used as an advertising hoarding which the club had insisted was the only reason that would make it financially viable, so it looks like it'll be back to the thick coat again next season.

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