SLOUGH Town FC fans ‘are closer than ever’ to coming home after plans for a new stadium cleared the final major obstacle – with building work potentially starting in the summer.

A new community sports stadium, which will become the home of Slough Town Football Club, and major improvements to sporting facilities at St Joseph’s school are one step closer to becoming a reality.

It comes after a decision by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government this week not to call in the planning application for an inquiry.

The final step before building work can commence is for planning officers to address planning obligations.

A Slough Borough Council spokeswoman told The Observer, on the basis of this being a straight forward process, works could start ‘in a couple of months’.

Cllr Rob Anderson, leader of the council, said: “We are very pleased with this decision as it has cleared all external obstacles to the stadium gaining the permission needed to complete this major project.

“We are closer than ever to having permission for a brand new community sports stadium and new, state-of-the-art facilities for one of our local schools.” The application for a community sports stadium with 3G pitch and seating, ancillary accommodation, four-court sports hall, multi-use games area and associated parking and landscaping at the Arbour Park site in Stoke Road, Slough, was agreed by the council’s planning committee on February 17.

The agreement was subject to the application not being called in by the Secretary of State, the resolution of some outstanding planning matters and the agreement of planning obligations.

Slough Town fans have been travelling to Beaconsfield for eight years and outside of Slough for 12 years to watch their team play.

Kay Lathey, general secretary at Slough Town FC, said: “We are really excited by the news received earlier this week with regard to the new community sports stadium at Arbour Vale. “Obviously there are many discussions to be had and much work still to be done, but we are greatly encouraged and feel very positive about the way forward now.” Plans to build a new school to house Lynch Hill Enterprise Academy have also been given the green light.

Gillian Coffey, executive headteacher at Lynch Hill, said: “We are very pleased with the progress of the application to create a new school site in Stoke Road.

“We’re looking forward to complementing great teaching and high standards with excellent buildings.” **PICK up a copy of The Observer, out every Friday, for all the latest sports news and action including an interview with Slough joint-boss Jon Underwood** **FOLLOW The Observer on Twitter at @Observer_sports**