The presence of a top-class sports stadium in Cornwall has come one step closer to reality after proposals overcame a major planning hurdle yesterday.
Plans for the 10,000 capacity multi-purpose Stadium for Cornwall at Threemilestone near Truro were given conditional consent by Cornwall Council's Strategic Planning Committee in an emotive meeting at county hall.
Supporters of the stadium, which still requires £16 million worth of funding, appeared ecstatic as the committee unexpectedly approved the plans with 18 votes in favour and one abstention.
Campaigners have long battled for the development of a top quality sports stadium in Cornwall, and received high-profile backing from sports personalties, including presenter John Inverdale, Rugby Football Union chairman Bill Beaumont and England Rugby World Cup winner Josh Lewsey.
If built, the stadium would provide a home to the currently Penzance-based Cornish Pirates rugby club, and could also be used by Truro City Football Club, as well as Truro College and Cornish schools.
Cornwall Council elected not to give public funding towards the plan last May, but Rod Lyons, from campaign group Stadium4Cornwall Working Group, said the almost unanimous nature of the approval will lend weight to developers Inox's pursuit of private funding for the initiative.
He said: "It was momentous, we have been going for four years, it feels like we have almost reached the climax."
