COUNCILLORS unanimously approved outline plans for a new home for Westcliff Rugby Club.

The club is being forced to move from its current home off Aviation Way, Rochford, due to the new airport business park.

They are being relocated to a neighbouring field and aim to be up and running by the beginning of the 2017/18 season.

Safety fears had been raised after the Health and Safety Executive advised against approving the plan, but planning officers assured members of the development committee that their advice should not apply.

The warning had come due to the site’s proximity to the disused Cherry Orchard brickworks, which still has a licence to store a sizable quantity of hazardous material.

However, the brickworks has not been used for around 20 years and the site is not used for storage so officers recommended approval of the plans, which members agreed with.

The site will contain four full size pitches, two of which will be floodlit, a training pitch and five junior pitches, as well as a new clubhouse.

The club is currently in negotiations with the council regarding the rent they will pay.