Ashford United has gained permission to redevelop parts of its stadium to add a range of new facilities designed to generate cash for the team.

Bosses plan to build 10 start-up business units at their Homelands ground in Kingsnorth, on the southern edge of Ashford, as well as a new canopy over one terrace, a second 3G artificial pitch and additional changing rooms.

The borough council has now approved the plans for the commercial premises and new supporter cover to the western end of the ground, while approval for the other parts of the scheme had already been in place since 2021.

In the past decade about £750,000 has been spent on improving the stadium, which is also home to Kennington and provides playing facilities for other community sides.

Ashford United owner Don Crosbie said: "If the directors are to support the continued growth of Homelands, and to maintain the football side as a viable and sustainable business, AUFC has had to diversify and over the last 10 years has been able to offer event facilities through three function rooms and bars that can be hired to the public to generate revenue.

"But as we all know, financially supporting grass-roots football is becoming increasingly difficult and AUFC, through this recent planning consent, is seeking to utilise the area of the ground around the stadium that currently contains scrub in order to increase revenue to feed back in the business and provide jobs and employment facilities for the wider community.

"It should be noted that we have over 14.5 acres of freehold land at Homelands Park totally owned by the club with only five acres being utilised at this time."

The club says the proposed design of the business units "reflects the railway heritage of Ashford" with a steel structure, powder coated aluminium doors and windows, insulated metal panel roofs, brick facades and arches.

As part of the wider scheme, the entrance and existing car parks will be landscaped to improve the overall appearance of Homelands and increase the available parking spaces at the ground.

It is understood interest has been shown by around seven businesses hoping to take up residence once the new units are complete.