Former Torquay United boss Mike Bateson is behind a scheme to develop a state-of-the-art indoor football training centre in Newton Abbot.

The Coffinswell businessman and long-time Gulls chairman, who sold the club in 2007, has been given planning permission to turn a redundant factory at Milber Industrial Estate into the sports facility.

The building, once used as part of Mr Bateson's Mod-Dec window empire which he sold almost 20 years ago, is set to become a development centre for Plymouth Argyle.

It could also be used by schools and colleges, sports clubs and community groups.

With the latest generation of Astroturf covering the five-a-side pitch, full changing and showering facilities, disabled access and physiotherapy services, it would be unique in the district and open until 10pm.

Although a commercial enterprise, profits would enable projects which serve the community to have free access.

Training for other sports such as cricket could also be accommodated and up to five full time jobs created.

Project managers are Debbie and Richard Hancox, Mr Bateson's daughter and son-in-law.

Both have plenty of experience in the beautiful game, Debbie being the former Gulls' managing director and her husband a former player who now manages the Pilgrim's development centre in Exeter.

Originally the couple had wanted to locate the facilities on a new first floor they will install in the building.

Planners had advised them that without the new floor they would have turned down the scheme as the district could ill afford to lose factory space.

Although planning permission has now been granted modified plans are now on the table to improve disabled access.

Now the idea is to use the first floor as office and storage space, the football pitch staying at ground level.

An excited Mrs Hancox told the Advertiser: 'We can't wait. Having been in the game for so many years we know there's a real need for this type of training facility.

'We talked about it a lot when we were at Torquay, about converting the indoor bowls club, but we knew that wouldn't have gone down well.

'We've talked to lots of schools in the area including South Dartmoor, Coombeshead and Newton Abbot College, and they are all enthusiastic.

'Yes, there are plenty of outdoor training pitches but none indoors with Astroturf.

'We've overcome the initial planning hurdles such as parking and the loss of employment space and we're hopeful the new plans will be approved.

'We'd like to be up and running for Christmas.'