DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC can kick-off their plans to instal a new full-size 3G astroturf pitch at their training ground.

Fife Council approved the planning application, which will see the all-weather artificial surface laid at the former Rosyth Civil Service Sports Club site, last week.

And local teams and clubs will benefit too as they'll be able to hire the pitch when the Pars aren't using it.

The club took out a 25-year lease on the site last year and the 3G surface will replace an existing grass pitch, with proposed opening hours until 10pm on weekdays and 9pm on weekends.

As part of the redevelopment, the bowling green will also disappear and the car park will be extended.

Athletic aim to instal a pitch that will have the FIFA Quality Pro mark, a standard given to artificial surfaces that ensure the highest playing performance for professional-level football.

It will be 105 metres x 68 metres and surrounded by a 1.2m-high perimeter fence, which will rise to five metres behind both goals.

There will be six floodlighting columns, each 15 metres in height, and the type chosen should have a “low impact on the surrounding areas” in terms of light pollution.

There was one objection, with a local residents concerned about the glare from the floodlights.

A council report said: "The nearest houses to the proposed development site are approximately 50 metres away.

"The physical separation between the proposed floodlights and nearby residential properties would be enough that it is not considered that there would be any detrimental impact from light spill.

’It is also noted that the floodlights have been designed to reduce upward waste light and overspill to minimise the risk of light pollution."

It added: "Given that there is an existing level of noise generated from Admiralty Road and Castle Road, as well as the commercial and industrial nature of numerous properties within the immediately-surrounding area, it is considered that the proposal would not result in any detrimental impact with regard to noise pollution."

The club's planning agent, Sports Labs Ltd, worked on the designs with the SFA.

Dunfermline will base their first-team squad, youth academy and the Pars Foundation – the charity that runs the club’s community programme – at Rosyth.

As well as the new astroturf surface, the training ground will have two full-size grass pitches, warm-up and goalkeeper areas, an education and analysis auditorium, changing rooms and showers, offices and meeting rooms, a kit room, laundry and boot room, an indoor sports hall, kitchen and an eating and rest area.

The club’s strength and conditioning gym, which is currently at East End Park, will also move to Rosyth.