WELSH football is coming to Newport after plans for a multimillion pound centre of excellence were unanimously backed by the council’s planning committee yesterday.

A new base for the Wales squad and the Football Association of Wales will be built at Newport International Sports Village.

Members heard Lliswerry Football Club and Newport Gwent Ladies Hockey Club would have to move from the site to make way for a purpose-built facility to provide training, playing, sports science and education facilities, as well as a new headquarters.

But the committee considered it a small sacrifice for the first-class facility, and were told alternative accommodation would be found for them. Cllr Bob Poole said: “This is of national importance, it would be very hard to turn this down.”

The £5 million project will provide a dedicated training facility for the national squad as well as a newartificial pitch, which could be used by local football clubs and members of the public.

A second premium grass pitch will be built, along with a new 100- seat grandstand. The Velodrome changing rooms would be enlarged and a two-storey administrative home for coaching, development and offices for The Welsh Football Trust will also be built.

Extra car parking will also be created on the current skate park, which will move to Tredegar Park, subject to planning permission.