REVISED plans for AFC Bournemouth’s new multi-million pound training ground are in line for approval by BCP Council next week.

Members of its planning committee will consider the Premier League club’s revised proposals to redevelop the former Canford Magna Golf Club site on Thursday.

And they have been recommended to approve the scheme with planning officers saying it would deliver “significant” benefits to the whole conurbation.

The club bought the site for £3.75 million with its first application for the new training ground approved in January 2018.

Earlier this year revised plans for the state-of-the-art centre were submitted which its chief executive Neill Blake described as an “important step” for the future of the club.

The changes include the provision of a larger, single full-sized indoor pitch rather than two detached buildings and changes to the layout of the parking area and the groundsman compound.

“Submitting these amended, improved plans is another important step forward for the future of this club,” Mr Blake said following the submission of the revisions in July.

“This training centre will be part of the board’s legacy and the plans illustrate that the facilities available to all levels of the club will be among the best in the Premier League.”

He said work would start “immediately” after permission was granted.

The application will be considered by the council's planning committee after Bearwood and Merley councillor Richard Burton called it in due to concerns about the impact of the development on the green belt.

Six people and organisations wrote to the council opposing the scheme.

Wimborne Civic Society said it would be “detrimental to the green belt providing a clear separation between BCP and Wimborne”.

And the Purbeck and Poole branch of Dorset Campaign to Protect Rural England said it placed “too much pressure” on the environment.

Despite this, planning officer James Gilfillan has recommended that the changes be approved when they are considered at Thursday’s meeting.

“The scheme has significant social, economic and environmental benefits across a much wider area and the benefits of a high profile and successful football team at the highest level of English football to the conurbation are significant," his report says.

Should councillors approve the scheme on Thursday, it will need to be considered by local government secretary Robert Jenrick before final permission is granted.

However, his predecessor did not deem it necessary to examine the original application himself when it was referred in January 2018.