PLANS for homes on playing fields have finally been agreed.

Dishland's bid for 12 houses on part of the Gas Recreation site in Bromley Road, Colchester, has been approved by Colchester Council.

A previous application for 50 homes on the same site, which would have included a new training pitch and other facilities for Gas Recreation Football Club, was thrown out by the council and a planning inspector in 2014 after strong opposition from residents concerned about the overdevelopment of open space.

The scaled-back scheme does not offer any immediate benefit to the club, but the application would see part of the land handed to Colchester Council, paving the way for the authority to build new facilities.

The 12 homes will be built near the Bromley Road Dental Surgery, with a widened access road.

Pitches used by Gas Rec FC will be moved to the north of the playing fields to provide an area for potential expansion of the changing rooms.

Ward member for St Anne's and St John's Mike Hogg (Lib Dem) said he was relieved the saga was seemingly coming to an end.

He said: "It's been a long journey with numerous ups and downs the final planing conditions being agreed will allow all parties to move forward in a positive way.

"Dish and get their houses,the football club get security of tenure, and Colchester Council gets ownership of the remaining land to hold on behalf of the community which will protect the community from over development and future incursions by the travelling community.

"There is still an enormous amount of work to do as the club and local community enter the next phase of consolidation and provision of a broader base of facilities in Line with the stated vision, which with all parties working together can provide a resource for residents to enjoy and be proud of.

"I am prepared to continue my advice and assistance to the club should they require and request it."

Chairman of Gas Rec FC Mark Ennew said securing the club's right to continue playing on the field was the number one priority.

He said: "Hopefully when this all gets fully resolved the council will be able to put in bids for grants to help build the club back up again, and build a function hall.

"This has been going on so long it has become a drag.

"There was a lot of years of not knowing what was going on, then a time when we thought the club was going to get lots of benefit before Sport England got involved and objected because of the loss of some pitches.

"I am hoping moving forward Sport England and grant bodies are sympathetic towards us and our hopes to build the club back up.

"We used to have a function hall where the dental surgery is now - at the moment we are relying on donations.

"We want facilities for the whole community."