MULTI-million plans for an Olympic sports village in Gloucester Park have won backing from councillors.

Basildon Council has also agreed to sell Markhams Chase leisure centre to house builders and the South Essex Gymnastics Club in Cranes Farm Road, Basildon, to help fund the £35million high-tech centre which may be used as a training camp for the 2012 games.

Councillors approved three separate planning applications at the development control committee last night.

The plans will now go before the Government Office for the East of England, which could force a public inquiry into the proposals.