Plans for Chard Town to move into a new ground after more than 100 years at Zembard Lane have been approved by Somerset Council.

The authority's planning committee (south) gave its backing to proposals for a new ground at Mount Hindrance in North Chard, subject to conclusion of Section 106 agreement between developer MacMic Limited and Somerset Council.

The new ground will include a new pitch and associated clubhouse facilities along with community pitches and changing facilities for which the Club has made an expression of interest and proposal to deliver, manage and maintain.

It will lie adjacent to a new 295-unit housing scheme being promoted by MacMic with access off Furnham Road.

Ryan Parris, project lead, said: “This is a thrilling time for the Club but it is still early days in the project.

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"Although we will be sorry to leave Zembard Lane, the scene of so many happy memories, the pitch failed to meet the required Football Association standard for our potential level of football and, over past seasons, we have been penalised accordingly.

“We can now look forward to working with MacMic, interested parties and local communities to deliver a sporting facility that the town can be proud off.

It will enable us to develop our men’s and current youth footballing sides, and to enhance into other areas, both formal and informal, such as ladies’ teams, senior men’s walking games and further youth opportunities.”

Since the concept of the move to this site started more than seven years ago, the club has undertaken a lot of background work including having some preliminary design and technical work done on the new facilities.

Over the next few months, the club’s project team will be working ready to submit a detailed design (reserved matters) planning application during 2025.

In the meantime, it will be talking to as many interested parties as possible to get input from potential users of the facilities.

“Moving forward, we are keen to involve the local communities and other non-footballing parties so if anybody is interested in getting involved in helping move this project forward or having an input, I would love to hear from them," said Ryan Parris.