WATFORD Borough Council tonight (Thursday) passed plans for a new East Stand development at Vicarage Road.

The positive news came after a Planning Committee meeting at Watford's Town Hall, following recommendations from the Council's planning officers.

This means the Hornets will now be able to press ahead with plans that would involve the demolition of the existing East Stand, which has been in place since 1922 and is now only partially open on matchdays.

The new design of the 5,000-seat stand would see the capacity in the stadium increased to approximately 22,000, with potential for more dependant on the design and layout of the corner areas of the new stand.

Speaking of the decision this evening, Operations Director Katie Wareham said: "It's a pleasing moment for us to have the plans ratified, but now the hard work really begins.

"We have begun work in the south-west corner of the ground to enable us to move our infrastructure from the existing East Stand, such as players' changing areas, medical rooms, press and scouts' facilities and a whole lot more.

"We are also in the process of relocating dugouts to the western side of the ground, and only once this is complete are we able to satisfy our desire to press on with the demolition of the East Stand.

"As anyone who has seen the plans will testify, this will become a great community facility, less an ordinary football stand, but more a family-friendly environment, which will house some wonderful facilities for education and for our community."