A project which could see a flagship youth centre built on a housing estate has been backed by Winchester civic chiefs.

Planners unanimously approved a scheme to convert an empty office building at Winnall into a new club for King Alfred Youth Activities Centre.

The scheme will bring to an end a three-year search for a permanent home for the club which sold off its old city-centre premises in Parchment Street for just under £1m.

Club bosses decided to move because the building needed major repairs, including a new roof, and they did not have the funds to foot the bill.

Since then the club has been holding its meetings twice weekly in Henry Beaufort Secondary School in Harestock, but a permanent base was needed if the 60-year-old club was to survive.

Now planners have agreed to a scheme to convert the former Wessex Area Health Authority computer centre building in Winnall Valley Road.

Club chairman, Martin Williams, is delighted by the decision.

"It was quite emotional. The comments made by councillors about the club were quite warming. The hope now is the future of the club is set for ever.

"We will take financial steps to make sure we don't get in the situation we were before."

Proceeds from the sale of the old premises will be used to buy and refurbish the building which has been lying empty since 1997 and targeted by vandals.

The plan is to build a sports hall, changing rooms, two games rooms, a fully-fitted kitchen and committee room.

"As soon as the paperwork is sorted and contracts exchanged the builders can move in," said Mr Williams.

If building work starts on schedule shortly the aim is to open the new centre by September.

The club hopes to pull in the pounds by hiring out a function room to community groups as well launch a fund-raising campaign.

Mr Williams said: "We don't want to rely on grants from the county and city council. We will be coming up with ideas for a fund-raising campaign to keep the place going."

He said the facilities would be available for the whole community to use and not just youngsters.

"The centre is for the whole community so everyone is going to benefit and not just in Winnall but the whole of Winchester."