Chesterfield Football Club's new home at Whittington Moor has come a step nearer after Chesterfield Borough Council issued formal planning consent for the development.

Permission was officially granted after the Government decided it did not need to "call in" the planning application for consideration.

Instead, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Hazel Blears, has said the proposals for the former Dema Glass site - which also include a new Tesco retail store plus business, hotel and other uses - are in line with national and regional policy and do not need to be re-examined.

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The Council has therefore confirmed the decision made by the Planning Committee at its meeting , attended by more than 300 members of the public, and granted planning permission for the development.

Cllr Ray Russell, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: "We are delighted that the Government saw fit to support the Planning Committee's decision, which was a very important one for the Council, Chesterfield Football Club and the people of Chesterfield.

"The redevelopment of the Dema Glass site and the delivery of a new football stadium to replace the outdated Saltergate ground are vital for the regeneration of the Borough."

David Ward, Planning Director of developers Wilson Bowden who are responsible for the regeneration of the former glassworks site, said: "This marks another significant step in the process of regenerating the former Dema Glass site. We're delighted that the Secretary of State has not intervened, and we now look forward to getting started on delivering a development which will boost employment and investment in the town, provide a new home for the football club, and kick-start the whole Waterside regeneration area."

(CD/JM)