Planned upgrades to Frome Football Club’s stadium can begin in a matter of weeks after planning permission was granted.

The club plays its home games at the Badgers Hill stadium on Berkley Lane, and currently competes in the Southern League Premier Division South.

The club – known as The Robins – applied in June to provide new changing rooms and extend its existing clubhouse.

Frome Town Council (which has been working closely with the club) stated in early-August that the upgrades wouldn’t be able to get under way until December, citing delays in securing funding from the government’s community ownership fund and the Football Foundation.

But Somerset Council has now granted planning permission – meaning the grants can be drawn down and work can begin by the end of October.

The council approved the plans through the delegated powers of its planning officers, rather than a public decision by its planning committee east (which handles major applications within the former Mendip area).

Planning officer Conor Chapman stated in his decision report: “The proposal implements an extension to the existing main clubhouse which serves as a new changing room for both teams and match officials, as well as an ancillary/physio/medical room and kitchen/laundry.

“The principle of development shares a physical and functional link with the existing site, remaining inside the Frome development limits, and as such is considered acceptable.

“There are no proposed changes to the access or parking for the site. The impact of the proposed development is not considered to have a significant impact over and above the existing situation on highway safety.”

Jane Llewellyn, Frome Town Council’s planning and development manager, confirmed that work on the club’s upgrades would be completed by Christmas.

In a statement published ahead of a town council meeting on Wednesday (October 2), she said: “Planning permission for the extension to the side of the existing clubhouse, to provide new changing facilities and clubhouse renovation, has been granted.

“This means the grant funding from the Football Foundation and the community ownership fund can now be accessed by the Frome Town Community Benefit Society (CBS), subject to the completion of the necessary legal work which has previously been reported to and agreed by the council.

“Construction is expected to start at the end of October and be completed by the end ofDecember, in line with the timetable specified in the invitation to tender.”