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Permission was granted on Tuesday afternoon following for the project, which also includes 1,500 new homes to be built on the site of Cookoo Farm.
Council leader John Jowers said "95%-plus likely" that the new stadium would be open in time for the 2007/08 season".
Any visitor to Layer Road will not be against a new stadium being built but at least the ground has histiory and character to make up for its lack of spectator friendly facilities. I will never forget being in the away end shed terrace, 4-0 down at half time on a freezing cold January night last season! At full time the score was 5-0 and it was a very long journey home!
A new stadium is needed if Colchester are serious about the ambitions they have of sustaining Championship football. While fans will be happy to leave for pastures new I'm sure there will be sadness too because Colchester have only played at Layer Road ever since they were formed in 1937.