COUNCILLORS have tonight approved a decision to sell the freehold for the County Ground to Swindon Town Football Club and the Swindon Town Supporters’ Trust - if they can raise the £2.2m asking price.

The historic deal was announced earlier this month, with the club and trust each stumping up half of the money.

It means the County Ground could change hands later this year. However, opposition councillors will have a chance to probe cabinet’s vote at next Tuesday’s scrutiny committee meeting. 

Reacting to the decision, Swindon Borough Council leader David Renard said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for the whole town, but particularly for the supporters of the football club and the members of the supporters trust.

“The ground is hopefully going to be transferred to them later in the year once the supporters’ trust has raised their half of the money in order to purchase it.

“After that, we’re looking forward to seeing the club and the trust working together to improve the ground.”

He suggested that the ground could be improved, with a new roof over the Stratton Bank and better facilities, such as a conference centre.

Coun Gary Sumner, cabinet member for strategic planning, stressed that any future changes would be subject to the club and trust winning planning permission. The site, which was originally part of the Goddard Estate, is subject to a covenant that requires it to be used for leisure or sports - meaning the land could not currently be sold for housing.

Coun Brian Ford, cabinet member for adults and public health, said the move to hand the County Ground over to the club and fans “hit the mark”.

“It’s good for the town and good for the supporters,” he said.

At a press conference earlier this month, where the joint bid to buy the stadium was announced, Swindon Town chairman Lee Power said he was excited by the unique opportunity to purchase the ground with the trust.

He added: “The benefits to the football club are huge, it’s probably come at the right time.

“The County Ground becomes a seven-day-a-week venue that receives significant income that helps on the football side.

“This football club has never had that. This gives us a fantastic opportunity as a football club to get some extra revenue in, make the stadium modern and more welcoming.

“We’ll work with Steve Mytton [supporters’ trust chairman] and the supporters to make it a home they can be proud of.”