Last night, members of the borough council's planning committee granted full planning permission for the Knutton Lane scheme, subject to a number of conditions.

The Sports Village is expected to be one of the biggest building projects the authority has ever been involved in. It is thought that the total cost of the project will be around £17m.

It will consist of an eight lane 25-metre pool and learner pool; eight court sports hall; health and fitness suite; sports science laboratory/class room; changing facilities and pool viewing balcony.

In addition there will be a full size all weather pitch and nine other sports pitches outside.

The Sports Village development is a partnership between Newcastle Borough Council, Newcastle-under-Lyme College, and Staffordshire County Council.

Mark Barrow, the borough council's chief executive, said: "The decision is great news and a key milestone in the life of the Sports Village project, which ultimately means our hopes to provide enhanced sports, leisure and fitness facilities for the Borough have moved a step closer.

"However, it's not the last hurdle by any means. There's still more to do to see the project through to delivery, which we must achieve by the end of May in order for the Sports Village to be incorporated into the College's development."

Once a contractor has been appointed construction could start as early as this summer, with completion scheduled for 2010.