PREMIER League chief Richard Scudamore has urged Borough of Poole to approve AFC Bournemouth’s plans for a new training complex.

The multi-million pound proposals are set to be considered at a planning committee meeting next week.

AFC Bournemouth is currently seeking outline planning permission for the scheme at the 57-acre Canford Magna Golf Club, which closed in April 2016.

The club is planning a phased development, which would bring the first team, development squad, academy and pre-academy training operations and facilities into one location.

The centre would feature first-class facilities including 11 full-size pitches, two goalkeeping areas, three junior pitches, and an indoor artificial pitch and pavilion. It would also include medical, fitness, sports science, and rehabilitation facilities, classrooms, and a media area.

Mr Scudamore, executive chairman of Premier League, said the proposed complex would provide a “lasting legacy” of AFC Bournemouth’s Premier League status.

In a letter to Borough of Poole’s planning manager, Richard Genge, he said: “AFC Bournemouth joined the Premier League in June 2015 and, in that short time, I have watched the way in which the club has embraced and served its fan base, local residents and the wider community.

“The club has also shown genuine commitment to long-term investment and youth development, and the creation of the new training facilities will provide a lasting legacy of their Premier League status.

“The club is required to upgrade or create new training facilities to comply with Premier League rules and requirements associated with operating a Category 2 Youth Academy, which AFC Bournemouth aspires to. The proposed new facilities, which include an indoor artificial surface pitch, will ensure compliance with Premier League rules. More importantly, they will provide young players with increased access to coaching time, all year round.

“As English football clubs continue to compete at the highest level of the sport, investment by clubs such as AFC Bournemouth will only improve our competitiveness against other European clubs, help nurture home-grown future England stars, and generate further economic and social benefits to local communities.

“I would be happy to amplify my statements and I hope that the planning committee considers not only the design, but also the huge commitment that the football club is making to secure its future and invigorate the area of Bournemouth and beyond.”

Cherries already have an academy and training pitches in King’s park, which are earmarked to be built over as part of the club’s new stadium plan, but at present talented youngsters are tempted elsewhere by better facilities.

Academy students would be based in the east side of the new facility, with sessions throughout the day to fit with players’ education and travel arrangements. For some years the club’s first team trained in the Canford School playing fields, while its current youth and academy teams train in various locations including pitches south of Magna Road.