Derby velodrome plans cleared by Environment Agency

The council's planning committee gave the scheme the go-ahead in March

Plans to build a new velodrome and sports centre in Derby have been approved by the Environment Agency.

The organisation said it was satisfied with the proposal to build the £28m facility on a former landfill site near Pride Park stadium.

Labour-run Derby City Council decided to proceed with the project, inherited from the former Conservative/Lib Dem coalition administration, in July.

The council will now meet builders to discuss final details.

Construction on the 5,000-seat facility is scheduled to take between 18 and 24 months.

Once complete, the velodrome will also feature a gym, function rooms, badminton and basketball courts and a cafe.

The council's planning committee gave the scheme the go-ahead in March.

The authority will meet construction firm Bowmer and Kirkland to check its plans are within budget and comply with planning rules before giving the green light for work to begin.