Chairman Barrie Hubbard feels Chesterfield have taken a huge step towards securing their new stadium after receiving planning permission.The proposed 10,500-seater arena at Whittington Moor was rubber-stamped unanimously by the town's council following a meeting on Tuesday night.

The planning process is set to rumble on for some months yet, however, with the Secretary of State having to decide if there are any grounds to call a public enquiry.

But Hubbard said: "We all feel elated that at last we are getting somewhere and congratulate the development team in putting together such a comprehensive regeneration plan."

The Spireites hope building will begin in early 2009 once all the planning issues have been resolved.

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